There is a thrilling, and yet convicting verse embedded in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians believers in Philippians 3:13, “…it is God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure.”
That one verse is jam-packed with some important, and maybe even life-changing principles for our lives today.
It’s an amazing truth to realize that the Holy, All-Powerful, Sovereign, and All-Knowing God is at work in our lives as individuals. That’s one reason why it’s important for all believers to look at the characters the Lord presents to us in His Word. The Bible is filled will real-life, and sometimes all-too-human, accounts of people.
The account of John Mark in the New Testament is one of those individuals. We are introduced to him in Acts 12 & 13, and his story continues in Acts 15, and then again in 2 Timothy 4:11. Young John Mark grew up as a church kid (read Acts 12:12), and he was selected to go along with Barnabas and Saul (soon to be named the Apostle Paul) on the first missionary trip ever (see Acts 13:5). But then something happened – and John Mark quit the team and went back home.
This departure caused an argument between the veteran ministry leaders (read Acts 15:36-39) – and Paul was so upset that he didn’t want to take this quitter on the next missionary journey. Yet, that’s not the end of story. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul writes that John Mark had become “useful for ministry.” Plus, John Mark was ultimately used by God as the human author of the Gospel of Mark.
This very human illustration of John Mark is very practical for today. Many of us grew up as church kids, went through some bumps along with way – but, we are in the place in our lives now where we want to live for God.
Let’s all remember that whatever circumstances God takes us through in our lives that God is at work in and through us to do His Will!