February 6 - Stuff Happens

 Read today’s texts first: Leviticus 1-3; Acts 13

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

When bad stuff happens, there’s no room
to store it if we’re “stuffed” with joy.

When rereading a familiar story, I tend to look for the previously unnoticed details.  This time through I paid attention to the seemingly insignificant words, John left them (13), they stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region (50), and the concluding statement and the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (52).  The incongruity of these sentences struck me.  It seems that between all of the outstanding miracles the apostles experienced, bad stuff also happened.  And yet, the joy of serving Jesus remained!

I loved working with young emerging leaders.  Their enthusiasm for Jesus, their love for times of worship, and their joy in serving is contagious.  Unfortunately, it’s also fleeting.  When reality starts clouding up their rose-coloured idealism, they can quickly lose heart.  Thoughts of “maybe God didn’t call me to Bible College” or “this is a lot more work than I thought it would be,” or “I’m just not cut out for ministry” begin drowning out the still small voice that called them to this time of preparation.  Like John Mark, when life on the road (without a car) gets too tiring, your old bed back home begins to beckon.  We don’t know why Mark left, but we do know Paul didn’t want to work with him again any time soon (15:37-39).

Knowing the rest of the story keeps me doing what I do.  John Mark was patiently mentored by (who else) the “Son of Encouragement,” Barnabas.  He became a strong leader, working closely with Barnabas, Peter, and, later on, even Paul.  Mark’s gospel account was written to reach the Romans and he had such a heart for ministry that Paul wanted him back in Rome at his side for his final days.  John Mark had to learn how to get through the stuff of life by staying focused on the joy of ministry.

I enjoy being a Barnabas to young leaders like Mark, to help them navigate through the stuff of life without losing their joy.  “Lord, thank You for teaching me these lessons early on.  I ask for Your continuing grace to be an example to all the John Marks you bring my way.”