If you’ve ever had a second chance then you know God is a God of grace.

People can be harsh and unforgiving.
Sadly, even Christians can be that way, but not our God.

I was reading about the big fight between two very godly men, actually apostles.
Paul and Barnabas had travelled and served together side by side.
It was Barnabas who had gone and found Paul and brought him to Antioch to minister to the church.
They spent a year there teaching new believers.
But a conflict arose that split the two and ended their partnership.

At the heart of the dispute was a young man named Mark, also called John Mark.
He had gone with them part way, but fairly early on he went home to Jerusalem.

On a later journey Barnabas wanted to give him another chance, but Paul said absolutely not!
That’s when things got heated and they parted company.

The story doesn’t end there because God loves His children.
Every one of us.
Do we all come up short at some point?
Sure, but God doesn’t toss us aside, He waits and grows us a little and gives us a second chance.

Some of us have lost relationships, or friendships. Others have lost jobs or ministries, but God can and will give you another chance if you want it.

What did you learn from the failure? Pay attention to that lesson. Write it on your heart.

That’s the best preparation for the new opportunity that I promise you will come your way.

What happened to the young John Mark?
Did he ever get a second chance?

Here’s part of a letter written by Paul from a Roman prison.
It’s all the record we have, but it’s enough to give me hope for second chances.

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11

Somewhere, at some time over the years God had given Mark another chance.
Paul had seen his value in ministry and wanted him to come to Rome.

Don’t give up in discouragement.
What God did for Mark He will do for you.
Forget the failure, but remember the lesson it taught you.