Daily D – Acts 13:9

by | Oct 11, 2024 | Daily D | 0 comments

David G Bowman Logo

Acts 13:9  But Saul — also called Paul — filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas (CSB)

Acts 13:13  Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and went back to Jerusalem. (CSB)

Everything changes. Students often become teachers. Children frequently come to the place in life where they parent their parents. Leaders are replaced by those they mentor. Some leaders are comfortable letting go. Others overstay their welcome. 

A well-known Big Dog Leader who has worked hard to look younger and to stay fit and healthy recently retired. It doesn’t appear he wanted to, but he has lately said the things he used to say more carefully more bluntly. This does not sit well with insiders or outsiders. That’s one way to know it’s time to go.

From this distance, it’s hard to say with great precision what happened among the Three Amigos – Barnabas, Saul/Paul, and John Mark – that shifted their roles. Luke doesn’t explain. He simply records the shifts. 

Saul’s name gets changed to Paul. He went from sharing a name with the Tall King of Israel to taking on a name meaning “little one.” 

Paul became the team leader. He set the direction. Barnabas, the mentor, appears fine with this turn of events as if he planned it that way all along. John Mark? Not so much. He was uncomfortable continuing if his relative (Colossians 4:10) was not in charge. Or maybe he missed his mother, regular meals, a comfortable bed, and so on. Whatever the motive, he was gone. 

The original teammates set apart by the Holy Spirit for this work (Acts 13:2, 3) journeyed on together. Paul was the pioneer pushing forward. Barnabas was the mentor asking powerful questions and providing deep insight. 

Later, this dynamic duo goes their own way. Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another opportunity. Paul didn’t want a quitter on his team. Paul and Barnabas disagreed to such an extent that they parted company. (See Acts 15:36-41.) Barnabas and John Mark went in one direction, while Paul and Silas went in another. 

Leadership observations:

1. Barnabas mentored Paul until it was time for Paul to take the lead.
2. Barnabas mentored John Mark and prevented his early failure from becoming his legacy. 
3. Paul and John Mark made amends somewhere down that long and winding road. (See Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11.)
4. John Mark became a partner in the ministry for Paul.
5. Barnabas, whose name means Son of Encouragement, made possible through his mentorship the world evangelism efforts of Paul and his companions, the broad and fruitful ministry of John Mark, Paul’s letters, which form half of the New Testament, and Mark’s Gospel which includes the insights of Barnabas, Paul, and Peter. 

Which of these characters at what stage of their development most closely resembles your own? 
– Who is your mentor? 
– Who is your protege? 
– Where are you most productive and effective now? 
– What is your next great adventure? 
– Who will ask powerful questions?
– Who will ask powerful questions?
– Who will give wise counsel? 
– Who will go with you? 
– What will you accomplish?

Everything changes. The way things are is not the way they will always be. Some change is easier than others. Hard change can produce amazing results. Don’t burn bridges you may need to cross again. Don’t give up permanently on temporary problems. 

I will plan for change.

Our Father, as life continues unfolding before us, give us wisdom in knowing how to prepare. We trust you are preparing the way before us, and that you are preparing us for the way. Provide us with what we need for what’s important now. Give us the flexibility and adaptability to get ready for what’s next. Amen. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

          Church Unique Logo          Auxano Logo

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Psalm 106:1-3

Psalm 106:1-3
Praise the LORD!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD?
Who can ever praise him enough?
There is joy for those who deal justly with others
and always do what is right.

Daily D – Psalm 103:1-5

Psalm 103:1-5
Let all that I am praise the LORD;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the LORD;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Daily D – Psalm 92:4

Psalm 92:4
“You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
I sing for joy because of what you have done.”

Daily D – Psalm 86:5-7

Psalm 86:5-7
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD;
hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.

Daily D – Psalm 84:5-7

Psalm 84:5-7
And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain,
and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!