Nothing Means Something
Isn’t it curious the amount of lessons we can learn from the
Bible? There’s a message within just about each verse; we just have to know how
to decipher it. Much of it requires research into the historical times and how
things were done in order to fully understand; and some of it just requires us
to remember what we’ve previously read/learned to see the importance of a
sentence. For instance: 2 Timothy 4:11 (NLT) “…Bring Mark with you when you come,
for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.” Seems simple, Paul wanted Mark to
come visit him with Timothy because he would be helpful. But, lest we forget
that this is the same Mark (John Mark) that deserted Paul and Barnabus in Pamphylia
(Acts 13:13) and later triggered a rift between Paul and Barnabus (Acts 15:37-39),
causing them to split up their ministry. Consequently, it’s peculiar when we read
in 2 Timothy 4:11 and see that Paul is requesting that Timothy bring Mark…
So… what have we learned from 2 Timothy 4:11? Well, in Acts
13:13, we see that not all Christians have courage, strength and willpower to
continue through the hardships they face, especially in their youth (meaning
not only age, but also length of time as a Christian). Also, sometimes taking a
break from it all does not necessarily mean that God will be finished using you.
Through Acts 15:37-39, we learn that Christians don’t always have to agree on
everything, especially to be successful, and God can and will use conflict and
disagreements to further His work. We also see that giving patience and
encouragement to someone that is falling short of being the ‘perfect’ Christian
knows no bounds for either of you. (Because Barnabus didn’t give up on Mark, he
matured, grew learned from his mistakes.) Between here and 2 Timothy, the Bible
doesn’t go into what happened between Mark and Paul that healed their relationship,
and made Mark valuable to Paul and his ministry. Somewhere along the line, the
two reconciled, forgave and forgot the past. But 2 Timothy 4:11 is proof that
people can change, and through growth and experience, they can be instrumental
in leadership and ministry. Forgiveness of can salvage any relationship and ministry.
Look at the lessons we learned in one simple stated Bible
verse! I beg you not to go through an obligatory routine just reading the Bible.
Heed each verse. Ponder the meanings. Even the verses that seem like nothing,
is something…Nothing in it is in it for nothing.
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