“Our lives are filled with the need for second chances. Being imperfect and fallible human beings, we regularly fail and sometimes fall flat on our faces. Not once, not twice, but repeatedly, we feel the need to start over. We have trouble getting it right the first time. . . . Part of being human is needing second chances.”- Charles Swindoll
In Chapter 6 (“What If . . . You Need a Second Chance?”) of What If . . . God Has Other Plans?, Charles Swindoll applies God’s Word to times when you’ve experienced failure. Consequently, the author illustrates this point with a classic New Testament second-chance story. The story involves Paul, his traveling companion Barnabas, and a young ministry apprentice – John Mark.
As we read in Acts 13, the church at Antioch, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, sent Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But before they left, they chose to bring along a young assistant named John Mark. Furthermore, Pastor Swindoll points out, the word translated assistant in Acts also translates as slave or servant. Thus, John Mark assisted Paul and Barnabas behind the scenes.
However, when the three men reached Perga, John Mark made a sudden decision to withdraw. Later, back in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas discussed a second journey to visit cities where they’d previously preached God’s Word. But, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along. Therefore, a serious conflict ensued.
So, in this conflict, two viewpoints – one subjective, one objective – existed. Barnabas focused on feelings and people. Paul, however, focused on principles and rules. In addition, while Paul clearly looked back at John Mark’s failure, Barnabas looked ahead to John Mark’s potential.
Because of this disagreement, the two men separated. The Greek word Luke used was paroxusmos, form which we get our English word paroxysm. Webster defines the term as “a sudden violent emotion or action, an outburst.”
In the next blog, we discover the real, practical scenarios of needing a second chance.
Today’s question: When have you treasured the offer of second chances? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “More of a deliverance – seems like a loss”
