Dear Pastor, Discipler, Continually throw yourself at the miracle of serving men according to God's love. As you minister to the brethren, Some will respond like Timothy - we wish that all did so! There are others that you'll hastily conclude are not useful like John Mark was initially. More challenging, you'd have others like Demas who find their joy away from your labour, away from ministry, and away from the word. There'll be those moments when it's easy to conclude that all have forsaken you. You'd be sorely tempted to throw in the towel in defeat. Like Elijah, you'll even think you are the only one standing. Though it is not always obvious. God has men. Has You. Has others. He even knows that your labour is not in vain! Be patient, "John Mark" will yet be mightily useful. You are over-thinking things if you see Demas in Timothy or if you cannot distinguish between Demas and young John Mark. Thrill when you get the Timothy response. Get ready to be excited at John Mark's transformation. Whatever happens, don't receive Demas' response as validation that you are not good enough. Therefore, don't let Demas push your heart into depression, melancholy or relaxing your grip on labour in the Lord. MoG, find your calm in the ability of the word to produce in His saints. Don't pad ministry with worldly methods or mafia ways be word through and through. Always. Stay pure.