Failure isn’t final. A man in the Bible who experienced that firsthand was John Mark—an assistant to Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). We don’t know all that his role entailed, but it likely involved doing behind-the-scenes work like buying supplies and cooking meals, along with some public ministry. He handled some of the day-to-day responsibilities of life so that Paul and Barnabas could focus on their mission of proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
Shortly into their journey, however, John Mark bailed on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13). We can only speculate as to the reason he left. Maybe he got homesick. Maybe he got sick of being simply a helper. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that when Paul and Barnabas were counting on him, he let them down.
Some time later, Paul and Barnabas planned to go back and check on the new believers they had led to Jesus during their initial missionary journey. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark again, but Paul would have nothing to do with it. He was against the idea because of John Mark’s past failure. The two men disagreed so strongly over the issue that they parted ways. Barnabas took John Mark with him while Paul asked Silas to join him (Acts 15:36-41).
It must have been tough on John Mark to see the relational fallout he had caused, but he chose to minister faithfully with Barnabas. Even Paul later changed his tune. In a letter to Timothy, the apostle wrote, “Bring [John] Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).
Earlier, John Mark clearly failed to come through. But his life shows us that just because he had failed in the past didn’t mean God couldn’t use him in the future.
In God’s eyes, failure isn’t final.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 13:1–14:4
More:
Read Psalm 51 to see how David realized that with God failure isn’t final.
Next:
Do you believe God can’t use you because of a past failure? What do you think John Mark or Barnabas or Paul would say to you?
bluefigtoast on February 19, 2012 at 1:38 am
few people would know that “failure is not final” is from a Winston Churchill quote (actually one of my favourites)
“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s courage that counts.” – Sir Winston Churchill
Wayno
bluefigtoast on February 20, 2012 at 2:12 am
This was something I am still discovering:
“Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things. Knows not the livid loneliness of fear. Nor mountain heights where bitter joy, can hear the sound of wings.”
– Amelia Earhart
Wayno
cali4ange on February 19, 2012 at 6:47 am
It’s really amazing how God uses those that are weak and feel they aren’t good enough. He gives us strength to show others that all things are possible through God that works in us. God shows us we can do it, regardless of our iniquities. He never gives up on us, so we should not give up on ourselves, and keep trying to do our best.
columbia415 on February 19, 2012 at 7:38 am
An old friend of mine, when speaking of failure, provided me with a saying that I never forgot. “Fail forward”. Failing is not final. Fail forward!
canamer on February 19, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I appreciated this message as I’m at a point in life where I feel like a failure and that I really just haven’t accomplished much in the grand scheme of things.
This Biblical truth that you’ve reminded us of has been of some encouragement. So, thank you.
drkindle on February 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Canamer you be encouraged. Your not alone. The same way God is going to give me the strenght to press past my failures, He is going to do the same for you.
God Bless,
Dr. Kindle….
BearPair on February 19, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Jeff, glad you wrote about this subject & people… I’ve always loved this section of the history of the early Church! John Mark is such a wonderful character, one who I didn’t fully appreciate until listening to Jenkins/LaHaye’s Jesus Chronicles.. Good stuff! Thanks!
drkindle on February 19, 2012 at 10:19 pm
I am also greatful for today’s topic about failure. It truly has helped e to lift up my head.
I feel the same way you do canamer. Many times I sit down and think about all of the things in my life I wish I had of done. And many times because of feeling like a failfure, I loose hope. But thanks be to God for always sending the right word at the right time to give us the boost we need to go on.
Thanks Jeff for the posting….
conmeo on February 20, 2012 at 1:19 am
Having werved as a Chaplains assistant early I became a Deacon in my Church for decades. I now have lost everything and am shunned as a failure. Thank you all for this discussion, I hope failure is not final. That hope is my Lord.
drkindle on February 20, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Conmeo,
Always remember this one thing, man will nail us to the cross without any mercy at all. But thanks be to God that He is not like that. If you read the scripture of this devotional, Paul was upset with John Mark and did not want to have anything to do with him because John Mark had stopped working with therm. Later on it was Barnabas who gave John Mark another chance. Then later Paul wanted to fellowishiop with John Mark again as well.
God is a God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. chances…
If you’re really sincere and sorry about the failures of your past, look up!. God can use you again….
winn collier on February 23, 2012 at 10:40 pm
sometimes, failure’s even a crucial part of the path.
Jeff Olson on February 24, 2012 at 9:31 am
good point Winn…makes me think of how Peter’s failure to stand with Jesus the night before he was crucified was part of his journey.
dabac on February 24, 2012 at 10:07 am
Excellent article!
I was just recently thinking about John Mark and about Paul’s unwillingness to forgive… After all, Paul is also only a human.
By the way, maybe if John Mark haven’t leave them in Perga, maybe he would never write Mark’s Gospel? (I guess it’s the same Mark, isn’t he?)
Jeff Olson on February 24, 2012 at 10:53 am
dabac, although the author of the NT book of Mark does not identify himself, most biblical scholars agree that the John Mark mentioned in the book of Acts is the author of the book of Mark.