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Every kid needs an uncle: especially kids without dads. You know what I mean an older, Godly man who loves them like a parent, but isn’t. Someone who can listen to what they don’t say; someone who can say things that they need to hear; someone who sticks with them through thick and thin – especially the thin.
Barnabas played the uncle for John Mark in the book of Acts. While originally a member of the Paul and Barnabas’ mission trips, John Mark deeply disappointed the great Apostle in Pam-fil-ee-yuh and lost his standing. Instead of abandoning John Mark, the Encourager organized his own mission trip and took the young man under his wing. Barnabas rehabilitated him so well that twenty years later when Paul so needed a friend we read that John Mark was by his side.
Uncles do their best work when times are at their worst. Keeping an ear available; a door ajar; and a relationship alive until the winds of change blow maturity in. Its tough work but kids need the help: and young boys without dads are at the most risk of losing their lives to drugs, jail or worse.
With so many temptations today pulling kids from God’s side, is God calling you to be an uncle to a John Mark today?
