JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Second Chances.

Sometimes, our disappointments with people who let us down in the past can keep us from giving them second chances in the future.

In Acts chapter 15, Paul and Barnabas were planning to follow up on some places where they had ministered together. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them and had not continued with them in the work.

As a result, they parted company. Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and went in another direction to strengthen the churches. God worked through this disagreement to form two missionary teams out of one.

Mark is the author of one of the four Gospels that we read in the Bible, so the encouragement of Barnabas was apparently a big influence in John Mark’s faith.

Giving people second chances is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com