Mentor Meditations: A beginning
A new year always gives a “fresh page feeling” and we are excited about the fresh page being developed to encourage and resource you, our mentors. Over these next months we will explore together some key check points that will guide us in keeping fresh our active pursuit of the Lord.
Will Bruce, in “Guidelines for Praying for Your Pastor” states, “life’s pressures will always result in spiritual decline unless one is careful to maintain a close walk with the Lord”. We all experience that decline from time to time as pressures mount in our individual lives. It is because we know this happens that we strive to encourage and build up you, our mentors. We know firsthand that we cannot expect to show Christ to others if we are not engaged in a growing relationship with Him ourselves. We desire to grow together with you.
“A wise and trusted teacher or guide” is the dictionary definition of a mentor. Mentoring tends to fall into two main categories. One is the coming alongside someone to teach them a skill or giving guidance in the tangible things of life. (Doing). It is usually definite and specific and often completed in a designated time frame. The other is the category you fall into. It is the coming alongside someone to guide them in growing in the intangible things of life, such as character development or spiritual truth. (Being)
This second mentoring approach is not so structured and may be a one time encounter or a sharing of the journey over time. Our main function is to encourage those who write to us and to point them toward Jesus and the truth of God’s Word. Because this on-line mentoring relationship is so unique, our dependence on God to guide us is so critical. He sees the person at the other computer. He knows the details of that life and just how His Spirit is working to draw that person to Himself. When you can’t look into their face and sense their struggle, He will give you the words of encouragement and the scriptures to share. Our primary task in this mentoring role is to stay in fresh relationship with our Lord. It is then that we will hear His still small voice of guidance and His words of wisdom and encouragement to pass on.
As the potter works at the wheel shaping the clay, the motion is always upward. God’s wisdom for each and every reply we send will always be with an upward motion, through words and phrases that will draw our contacts forward with encouragement as they pursue God.
Over these next months we will explore together practical ways in which we can keep our individual walk with God fresh so the voice of His Spirit is clear. In addition to each “Mentor Meditation”, we will give you optional additional scriptures to consider and a suggested book for your own pursuit.
We anticipate personal growth and growth in this whole ministry area as we pursue continued freshness in our walk with God. Thank you for sharing in this pursuit of becoming alive in Christ as we do the business of the Kingdom together!!