If you are an older person, how would you like to be known for what you did in your teenage years or even in your twenties? For a few, that may be good. However, I believe most of us would rather be known for what we did later in life after benefitting from wisdom and maturity. Take John Mark for example. He went with two great men of God, Paul and Barnabas, on a missionary journey. But during the trip, Mark left them and returned home (Acts 13:4-13). Scripture does not record the reason, but we know that his leaving did not sit well with the apostle Paul. For Paul did not want to take Mark with them again when he and Barnabas started a second missionary journey. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work (Acts 15:38 NKJV).
I wonder how long this "bad rep" followed Mark around. We may assume that he regretted his decision, and wished he had the opportunity for a "do over." Can you relate to Mark? Do you look back on times in your life with regret? Perhaps if we're honest with ourselves, we will all admit to things we did of which we are now ashamed. But thankfully, those times do not have to define us. When I think of Mark, I do not think about his quitting the missionary campaign, but rather about the book of Mark. He did not let that time in his life "mark" him. He evidently grew from that experience and made a wonderful contribution to the cause of Christ.
Even Paul later recognized Mark's talents and commanded Timothy to bring him to Rome as soon as possible. Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry (2 Timothy 4:9-11). The aged apostle believed Mark would be very beneficial to him in the work of the gospel. This was during a time of great persecution against the saints in Rome.
Our Lord came into this world to save sinners, of whom Paul wrote, he was chief (1 Timothy 1:15). Yes even Paul had a past that he believed made him "unworthy to be called an apostle" (1 Corinthians 15:9). But by the grace of God I am what I am (1 Corinthians 15:10a), Paul wrote. When God forgives us, He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 10:17). Everyone who has lived for some time has things in his past he would rather forget. But what you do now, with the Lord's help, can define how you will be remembered.
Let us thank God for His grace and the opportunity to be "renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Let us also learn from Mark who did not let his past define him. By God's grace, Mark will be known forever as "profitable... for the ministry." Wouldn't it be enough if we all could be known for that?
Brotherly, Jamie
