Becoming a Servant for His Glory: A 5-Day Devotional by Dr. Miguel NunezSample

DAY 2: Are You Ready to Serve?

We tend to serve in a ministry capacity as soon as we possibly can, because it makes us feel useful. Unfortunately, serving before we are ready not only can lead us to error, but it can also lead to the deformation of our character when we take pride in ourselves.  

During the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey, he was accompanied by Barnabas and John Mark. When they arrived at Pamphylia, John Mark decided to separate from the group and return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later, Paul did not want to take Mark on his second missionary journey, precisely because Mark had deserted Paul in Pamphylia on the first journey. This caused a great conflict between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40).

The text does not specify the reasons that caused Paul to think this way, but it is quite possible that after this experience, the apostle felt very strongly that Mark was not ready for that kind of ministerial work. Perhaps he lacked the necessary strength of character that could be acquired over time. Eventually, this is the same Mark who would author the Gospel that bears his name. Nevertheless, at an earlier stage in his life, the Apostle Paul did not consider him ready for the ministry.

After his disagreement with Paul, Barnabas decided to take John Mark along with him, and they departed in the other direction. It is possible that Mark needed someone who would continue to invest in him until he could be completely mature and ready for the work to which God had called him.

This fact demonstrates the wisdom of the author of Ecclesiastes in saying that there is a time for every thing or event under the sun (3:1, 11). It also serves as a good example to remind us that we are not always ready to serve in ministry even though we may think we are.