Fresh Starts
There are times when we put our faith in someone and then become disappointed when they fail to perform as we expected.
Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark. - Acts 12:25
In today's reading, we are introduced to Mark who joins Saul (Paul) and Barnabas in Jerusalem and comes with them to Antioch. He accompanied them on their first mission, but returned ahead of them.
Paul refused to take him on another trip.
Later on, in Paul's letters, we learn that Mark has become a trusted member of the group, but in between, we have a period of uncertainty and distrust.
I think it is important that we know this about the apostles.
We get to see the difficulties they had, just as we do, in trying to get people to do what they are called to do and not give up, give in or turn back.
How many times do I feel like my efforts are futile, that there must be a better way, that I must go back and start over?
Is that how Mark felt?
We don't know what happened on that trip to send him home, but at some point, he becomes what he is destined to be, responsible and loyal, trusted and accomplished in his work.
When you think back at those times when people had disappointed you, do you ever wonder if they have changed? Have you changed?
We tend to be judgmental about those things, the failings of others, more so than we do about our own shortcomings.
We can get better; others cannot.
Maybe we should rethink that. Maybe we should reach out to someone who had failed to live up to his or her expectations of themselves and see how they are doing today.
Maybe we should reassess. How are we doing compared to how we used to be? If we can change fr the better, what about them?
The baggage we carry, that Jesus tells the rich man to abandon, includes this stuff, these judgments that weigh us down.
It's Spring! It may still feel cold outside, but it is time to clean out the clutter and start a new fresh way of looking at life, one disappointment at a time.
What do you say?
Is there someone we can call and say, "Hey, how are you doing? I was thinking about you today."
Who knows what we will discover about them, and about ourselves if we do.
More to come...
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