The God of 2nd Chances

I've always said, "The only thing wrong with churches are that people are in them!"  People make mistakes...people disappoint...people get frightened...people mess up!  John Mark messed-up!  He thought he was ready for ministry, so he signed aboard  to sail with Barnabus and Paul for his 1st mission trip.  But he "bailed-out" and went AWOL!

Sometime later Paul was planning a 2nd missionary trip and he and Barnabus were discussing whom they wanted to team-up with them.  Barnabus wanted John Mark to come, but this infuriated Paul!  It caused such strife and division that Paul and Barnabus split!  John Mark went with Barnabus and Silas went with Paul. 

However, it worked out for God's good, as now there were two missionary teams instead of one, which meant they could cover more ground  for God's  glory.  A lot of time passed, but finally Paul and John Mark reconciled.  John Mark became a faithful and reliable helper-- faithfully supporting and serving  Paul to advance the work of the Lord.

Many, many years ago a friend and I were going to enter the ministry together.  She "bailed-out" the last minute and began to spread rumors that I really wasn't "called" to ministry.  It hurt me deeply.  But--many years later--she came back to ask for my forgiveness.  We are now (again) very good friends.

A pastor once told me, "I don't trust anyone in ministry who hasn't made at least 3 mistakes!"  At first I thought that was odd--but the longer I'm in ministry, the more I realize he was correct.  It humbles us when we mess-up; it teaches us; you can't go through life without making mistakes.  It gives you more compassion for others when you realize how much grace and mercy the Lord has given you when you blew it, stumbled, or missed-the-mark.

Paul (later) thought it over....or God got through to him...that REACTING is the wrong way to deal with people and problems.  The right way (God's Way) is to RESPOND.  The right response is to always FORGIVE,  and then (if they've sincerely asked for forgiveness and have repented, and matured) give them a 2nd chance. 

We all need to be forgiven one or two times....or is it "70 x 7?"  Yea, that's it!   Wasn't there a line in the prayer that Jesus taught the disciples, "Forgive us our trespasses (sins, faults, mistakes, errors as we forgive those who trespass against us?"

HE WHO HAS BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH--LOVES MORE!!!  How much love are you showing towards others?  Don't hold grudges....hurdle over your hurts....and walk in LOVE (and you'll be walking with Jesus)!