DUMPED BY DEMAS: WHO IS LEFT?

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

REFERENCE:

II Timothy 4:5-11

When people walk out on you, their exit seemingly spells doom for your life, mission, ministry, or business. They seem to leave with your investments of time, training, and emotions in them. They understand the culture, and play a vital role in your system. They know what makes you tick. It is as if a part of you is gone, and moving on beyond that point looks quite daunting.

Demas dumped Paul, but Paul made a quick recovery. He acknowledged that although Demas left, Luke remained; he also wrote Timothy to return to him along with John Mark. He earlier had an issue with Mark’s commitment level and would not let him go to the field with him, but now, he sends for him. Time and exposure had positioned Mark for usefulness in the ministry. Demas’ departure helped Paul to realize that he had Luke with him, Timothy would soon come, and Mark was a ripe fruit ready for picking. Let’s draw some lessons from Paul’s response:

a.     There are Lukes, Timothys, and Marks around you that you will not see until Demas dumps you. Sometimes your best hands may be eclipsed by Demases who take up their spaces.

b.     When Demas leaves you, don’t focus on Demas’ departure; focus on who remains.

c.     Build a healthy network with current and old associates/friends/colleagues (your John Mark) because you never know when you might need them again.

d. Men may dump you, but God never does. Look to Him; He has a bounce-back plan for you.

If someone left you, they likely are no longer a part of your future; their assignment in your life may be over. Their exit means someone else would soon enter, so keep your eyes and heart open. God can and will work with who is left; a man’s exit cannot stop God’s program. He does not need what they took with them to make you what you ought to be, or else, He ceases to be Omnipotent. 31,700 soldiers left Gideon, yet, God gave him victory with the 300 soldiers left. Orpah left Naomi, but God used Ruth that was left to bless her. God will work with who is left, not who left. Stop crying over Demas; find your Luke, Mark, and Timothy.

You may be at a point where you and your business or company are reeling from the impact of people who left. God has people that will help you. There is a better replacement for a pastor, fiancé/fiancée, doctor, I.T specialist, salesperson, video editor, lawyer, etc., than the one that left. God will take your amateur Mark and make him of use to you in your journey to destiny.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Ruth 1:12-18, Judges 7:6-8 & Matthew 19:30

PRAYERS:

+ Lord, I thank you for those who left me, but much more, I thank you for who is left.

+ Father, I call forth my John Mark, Luke, and Timothy. People you will use to take me from this place of desertion to self-actualization. Lord, replace my Demas for me.

+ Lord, open my eyes to see potential in the people around me and give me the skill to help develop them, in Jesus’ name.