We’ve been going through the Book of Acts here at the Pizza Ranch Support Center. In Acts 15:36-41 we see a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, two great men of the Christian faith. They wanted to go back to visit the believers they had led to Christ on their first missionary journey to encourage and love on them in person. Barnabas wanted to take Mark along with them, but Paul was determined not to take him because he had left them in the middle of a prior trip. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.

Does this happen to us today? Do we have disagreements with folks? Of course we do. There are always things that people have different opinions on. We can actually look at data backed by facts and still have different opinions on it. The question today is what do we do when there are disagreements? The answer is to LOVE each other anyways. Love needs to and must win.

Paul and Barnabas end up going on separate journeys, with different people by their side. Because of the disagreement, along with two different trips, more lives are ultimately touched. And in the end, they all end up very close. Paul ends up admiring Mark so much that he requested him to come be with him during his final days (2 Timothy 4:11).

You and I are needed…right where we are. Even with all our differences. God chooses normal, unqualified, everyday sinners like you and I to show and tell others about Jesus. To love others and be difference makers for the Kingdom. To pray and be bold even if we’re not confident, or if we fumble over our words, or if we fear persecution from others. The Holy Spirit will help us use our own story to point people to Christ. To help our words become His. May we be evidence of a changed life wherever we are.