10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. (Colossians 4:10-11)
The Apostle Paul is in prison in Rome, and he is not alone. In fact, Paul refers to a "fellow prisoner" named Aristarchus, who had become a Christian while Paul preached in his hometown.
John Mark is also with Paul, which is remarkable, given what had happened in Acts 13. During Paul's first missionary journey, when they arrived at the city of Perga, John Mark became afraid due to the works of a Sorcerer. As a result, John Mark forsook the mission and went back home to Jerusalem.
Then, a few years later, when Paul and Barnabas were ready to embark on their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on the journey, but Paul refused to allow him to go along.
Years later, Mark is with Paul in Rome. Somehow he gained Paul's confidence back. This may have been the result of completing the Gospel according to Mark, which he wrote under the guidance of the Apostle Peter. John Mark's story is a great reminder that no one is exempt from failure. It is also a great reminder that with God, failure is not the opposite of success.
We need to rethink our relationship with failure — most notably, how we can embrace it. Failure is a great teacher, it gives us blunt feedback. Failure tells us that we are not wanted. But, failure is a stepping stone to success, and if that success isn’t refined by failures, it’s not going to look that great.
Anyone who has achieved something great will tell you, the road to success, with very few exceptions, is anything but a straight line. And the disasters and disappointments along the way are essential learning opportunities that can help us live with more wisdom.
