The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company. — Acts 15:39.
Luke recounts a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, so severe it led them to “part company.” This event sheds light on a crucial aspect of service: the ability to navigate disagreements while remaining faithful to God’s calling.
While the text may portray a clean separation, I suspect it wasn’t so simple. Disagreements, especially with close colleagues, are rarely easy. They can be emotionally draining, casting a shadow over the mission at hand. Constant friction can morph into despair, causing us to abandon the very work we were called to do. We see this play out all too often in the world, where leaders become consumed by arguments over the smallest of things, neglecting the needs they were meant to address.
However, Paul and Barnabas offer a valuable lesson. Their parting of ways wasn’t an act of giving up, but a recognition that their disagreement could hinder their ministry. They chose to prioritize their shared calling by finding separate paths to continue serving God.
Leave a Reply +