Have you ever been through the frustrations of building someone into your team, only to have them leave for some obscure reason. It can be incredibly tough. I've been on both sides of the coin. I know just how tough it can be.

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13

We can see from ACTS that mission life wasn't a bed of rose petals! It was filled with serious dangers, often life threatening. John Mark (Author of Mark's gospel) up and leaves Paul and Barnabus.  Perhaps homesick, maybe upset that Paul seems to have become the leader instead of Barnabus?? Whatever the reason - he is gone!

Ministry often throws curve balls - team members stepping out suddenly is a big hit to handle. Later in Acts 15 this issue became so big it separated Paul and Barnabus from working together. YUP - even the cream of the crop had personal issues!

Friends - let me encourage you - serving God has it's utter highs and its lows - but we must remind ourselves that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and nothing ever takes God by surprise!  What we do need to make sure of - do not allow the bait of Satan - OFFENCE - to poison our hearts.  Look at this verse:

Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

A broken or 'wounded spirit' is deadly. Let's give it over to The Lord today. Amen