Some of you let go of a gift from God that was sent to bless your life. You let the enemy take easily what you should have fought to keep. It was yours to have and hold, but you let it go.

 

That gift was a person.

 

Just like Paul and Barnabas regarding Mark, there was a sharp moment of division. A split occurred, and it seemed all was well with your heart. You thought little of the aftermath or void that would now occur in your life and even ministry. There would definitely be a loss felt. Later, Paul was abandoned by others and finally knew Mark was vital to the ministry of the gospel, so he humbled himself and sent for him. I wonder if the sting of betrayal that finally hit Paul’s heart personally helped him see his own past failure with Mark. Perhaps, it’s a question I’ll ask when I see him in Glory.

 

Some of you even felt that it was God’s will, so you didn’t fight for the gift, or perhaps there was just an inability to admit to a wrong, so you let it “lie.”

 

It wasn’t God’s will, but it was the devils.

 

He won the battle, but I’d suggest you don’t let him win the war.

 

Go get Mark.

 

——-

After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return to each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are getting along.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not shared in their work. Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and the believers sent them off, entrusting them to the Lord’s grace. So they traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches there.

(Acts 15:36-41, NLT)

 

 

Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

2 Timothy 4:9-11 (ESV)