MARK
PROFILES —-
GROWTH THROUGH THE BLOWS
Mark went on missions for God. He documented the Good News of Jesus to the world by writing the Gospel of Mark. He opened his home for the church. He accompanied and helped many Christians in doing God’s ministry work in the world. But Mark did not begin that way. He made a lot of mistakes. He ditched the cause of God a few key times. He was afraid often. He abandoned his friends in the ministry. Flat out, Mark made mistakes—many of them. And yet God called him, grew him from those mistakes, and used him to let the world know about the incredible Savior, Jesus Christ.
Do you ever make mistakes and think, I’m no good for God? God has a curious way of calling us—even those of us who make mistakes too numerous to count—and sticking with us. Mark is a man who grew over time in his devotion and service to the Lord and his friends. He is an encouragement to us that God is faithful to teach us through our mistakes and make us into the people He wants us to be.
THINK & PRAY
CAN GOD USE OUR MISTAKES TO GROW US?
Mark’s good friend the apostle Paul wrote, “Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:4-6). Paul wrote these words to a particular group of believers in Christ, but they apply to us all. Paul and Mark had a good amount of tension in their relationship, but they both understood that God was forming them through their victories and mistakes and their highs and lows.
In the same way, we have to recognize that God does His work through time as we learn from our mistakes and grow wiser and more faithful to Him. What are some mistakes you’ve made that have resulted in your growth (even if they came with pain, shame, or consequences)? Are there any parts of your life where you can say, “Only God could have grown me to be more mature in Christ in that area”? Have your mistakes helped you to love God and others more as He has redeemed those areas?