Growth

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. [Acts 15 36-39]

The funny thing is, it would be Paul who would later write these words:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. [1 Corinthians 13.4-5]

While, because of this, many might see Paul as a conflicted individual, I see him as a man who I am privileged to see grow in his faith and love.

Let's look further... Paul also demonstrated more conflicted thinking below:

Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. [Acts 16.2-4]

While it seems innocent enough to have Timothy circumcised, they then went from town to town instructing believers about the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem which specifically refuted the need for circumcision (Acts 15.1-2)! Could it be that even the great Apostle Paul had to grow in the grace he preached? Absolutely!

I started writing in response to daily Bible reading back in 2006. I believe this writing today is number 5,862. If anyone ever attempted to read through all my writings, critiquing them for continuity through the years, they would find conflict. So, for me to call Paul "conflicted" is hypocritical. However, as we see with Paul's life and writing (as best we understand the chronology of them), I hope and pray that my life and writing both demonstrate growth.

Yes Paul had a "beef" with John Mark. But later Paul would still write the famous 1 Corinthians 13 "love chapter." What is happening? Paul is growing! And his growth is on even clearer display in his later request to Timothy:

Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. [2 Timothy 4.11]

I don't mind "conflicting stories" in my life as long as it can be seen that the progression is towards faith, hope and love. I want that progression to take me 'out of me' and into Christ!

Father, thank You for the unspoken story of faithful growth in the Apostle Paul. I am encouraged by it. May my life and these my writings show that I am growing closer to You and more like Christ year after year...