Childlike Behaviours

In the process of living out childlike faith it is possible to find ourselves acting like a child; which can be good or bad.  I am reminded of the apostle Paul who almost went on a missionary journey with Barnabas and John Mark.  During this particular trip Paul points out to Barnabas that John Mark, Paul's personal scribe, is a flake that bailed out on them last time things got tough.  Yes, the same author that describes in Romans what it is like to be adopted, is being both the grown up and acting like a child. He is following his Dad's guidance to spread the gospel to all the world, but delays the trip long enough to have a hissy fit.  Before Paul sets out for the trip, Barnabas tells Paul he wants to bring John Mark along.  In so many words, Paul tells Barnabas that it is either him or John Mark.  Here is Paul, the great man of God, the missionary sent to the Gentiles, the Pharisee among Pharisees, and he ends up acting like a kid.  It happens to all of us, and yet we see the great work God does through Paul, which should be an encouragement to the rest of us.

Acts 15:30-40