OCTOBER 8, 2012
Helping With Hurdles
Read: Acts
15:36-41
Two are better than one . . . . For if they fall, one will lift up his
companion. —Ecclesiastes
4:9-10
When
my daughter Debbie was a little girl, she took ballet lessons.
One dance
exercise involved jumping over a rolled-up gym mat.
Debbie’s first attempt
resulted in her bouncing off this hurdle. For a
moment she sat on the floor
stunned, and then she began to cry.
Immediately, I darted out to help her up
and spoke soothing words
to her. Then, holding her hand, I ran with her until
she successfully
jumped over the rolled-up mat. Debbie needed my encouragement
to clear that hurdle.
While
working with Paul on his first missionary journey, John Mark
faced a major
hurdle of his own: Things got tough on the trip, and he
quit. When Barnabas
tried to re-enlist Mark for Paul’s second journey,
it created conflict.
Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, but
Paul saw him as a liability.
Ultimately, they parted ways, and Barnabas
took Mark with him on his journey
(Acts 15:36-39).
The
Bible is silent about John Mark’s response when Barnabas helped
him over his
ministry hurdle. However, he must have proven himself,
because Paul later wrote
that John Mark “is useful to me for ministry”
(2 Tim. 4:11).
When
we see a believer struggling with an apparent failure, we should
provide help.
Can you think of someone who needs your help to clear
a hurdle?
Lord, I want to show the kindness of Your
heart today. Please show me who I can help
and in what way. I want my words and deeds
to convey Your love. Amen.
Kindness picks others up when troubles weigh them down.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
