It can be difficult to find employment suitable to your qualifications. If only everyone could find an employer who would give them a job suited to their abilities, and treat them in a worthy manner!
There is one Employer who will do just that! The Employer I have in mind is none other than GOD - our Creator, and Saviour. (Colossians 1:15-23.) Although He knows all about us, yet He is able, and willing, to equip us for the privilege of serving Him. (2ndCorinthians 5:17-21.) It is “good, pleasing and perfect” in His service, for all who are willing to trust and obey Him. (Romans 12:1-2.)
Paul and Barnabas were two of His devoted employees, who had even risked their lives in the service of their Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:26.) They had suffered much abuse during a previous missionary trip to Asia, yet many had come to faith in Jesus in various places. Now, Paul was eager to revisit them, to find out how they were getting on. (verse 36.)
“Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them” during their previous mission. (verses 37-38.) Paul knew the work would be hard enough, without risking the upset of one of his companions wanting to desert them along the way.
Paul and Barnabas “had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark, and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas, and left” for Asia. (verses 39-40.)
Although John Mark had not seemed suited to the work Paul was doing for God, that did not mean he could not serve God in some other way. Your body can illustrate this: your hand cannot do the same job as your ear, and your eye cannot do the same job as your nose, yet every part is important and can usefully serve your body. (Romans 12:3-8.) In the same way, no true Christian can say, “I cannot serve God, because I could not do what Paul did, or what someone else does.” Everyone who truly believes in Jesus as Saviour and Lord becomes a “member” for Jesus to use - a part of “His body”. (1stCorinthians 12:12-30.)
Paul travelled “to Derbe, and Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived.” (verse 1.) God had prepared Timothy to be able to do the work that Mark had been unsuitable for. Timothy willingly became part of the team that went around those young Churches teaching them to be stronger in faith, and seeing them grow in numbers every day. (verses 3-5.)
Christian, you too should be willing to “worship the Lord with gladness". (Psalm 100.) Try in every way you can to prayerfully serve Him, and you will see how God will direct you to that which is best suited to you, and for His glory. (Proverbs 3:5-6. Colossians 3:17-24.)
Read about these willing workers employed in God's service in Acts chapter 15, verse 36 to chapter 16, verse 5.
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