36Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the Lord's followers in the cities where we preached his message. Then we will know how they are doing." 37Barnabas wanted to take along John, whose other name was Mark. 38But Paul did not want to, because Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had stopped working with them.
39Paul and Barnabas argued, then each of them went his own way. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, 40but Paul took Silas and left after the followers had placed them in God's care. 41They traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches.
Mali is good at saying "get over it!" Mostly she says it when I'm obsessing over a disappointment of giving too much creedence to a slight by somebody.
Actually, very good advice. "Get over it...!"
I've always been curious about this passage. It might be here to remind us Paul is not the fourth part of the God-head, but it's probably more than that.
Certainly, Paul bears some of the responsibility for breaking up a powerful missionary team. Looking back, we might be tempted to say God ordained this event to multiply his missionary resources. I disagree because if God was the author of this separation there would have been no argument. So, what's this about?
I' d like to suggest the message is a positive one. When we work in concert with other believers we always face the potential of human discord. It just happened to the best of them. In this case, however, this discord did not let either of them take their eyes off the strategic vision. They agreed to disagree and both pressed on with their missions.
As it should be...
So...two questions come to mind:
1. What is the strategic vision God has given you? (Believe me, He has...so you should examine this)
2. Are you still actively focused on (and pursuing) this vision? (in spite of discord or distraction)
This will help you evaluate your spiritual maturity.
Live boldly out there today...
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