11 October | Youth
«Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.» Acts 15:37, 38
They say that the first impression is what lasts. This is a half-truth. What persists is the simplistic way we sometimes think people are. After meeting them, we are not likely to change our “first impression” for better or for worse. Just look at what happened to the apostle Paul. He had a bad first impression of John Mark, a young man who was far from Paul’s maturity and persistence on the missionary field. The apostle of faith and courage, seeing the boy’s hesitation and fragility, denied him a new opportunity. The boy’s uncle, however, welcomed him, giving him a second chance.
When I (Júlio) started fifth grade, my “debut” at the new school was truly spectacular. It was the first week of classes, and we were all waiting to get in. There were some charming royal poinciana trees in the courtyard, with green leaves and very striking red flowers. I got excited when I saw several children swinging happily from the lower branches. So I decided to imitate them.
The first moments on that incredible “swing” were sensational! Suddenly, the branch broke, and I fell to the ground like a ripe jackfruit. Then I heard screams in the air like in a football stadium. I was the center of attention! The doorman quickly took me out of that whirlwind and took me to the office, where teach-ers and staff, as I passed, shook their heads saying: “On the first day of school?! It gets worse from there.”
John Mark had his second chance, and I had mine. Time helped him overcome some of his shortcomings. I strived to do the same. The apostle Paul went back and reviewed the negative impression that, right from the beginning, he had of who Mark was and what he would be capable of doing (2 Tim. 4:11).
It does not matter the weight of your past or whether it was positive or negative, your story is being rewritten right now. If you allow God to write it, you have no idea the wonderful paths you will be led down! He promises to take you back to a garden where there will be many royal poinciana trees; trees planted near the tree of life, in Heaven. How about making plans to take a walk there?