Have You Missed the Call to Mentorship?
"How is it that today's generation of Christians are more likely to list
a celebrity as their hero rather than a mentor, leader, or friend in
their own congregation?"
I read this question today and began to think. Is there anyone who could call me their hero? I'm not trying to take any glory or recognition from God. I don't want to be seen as a Savior, but can I say that anyone sees me as a role model? Am I someone they look to and strive to be like? Have I made such an impact on anyone's life that they have decided they want to be or look more like Him because they know my heart for Him and that He is the reason for my change?
We are called to raise up younger generations. The Bible says, "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us" (Titus 2:3-8 NIV).
It can be easy getting so caught up in doing ministry and fulfilling our responsibilities that we forget what is most important: pouring into others. If we look at the Bible, we will see examples throughout of people taking others along in their journey with them and passing along the wisdom God gave to them. There were Moses and Joshua, Jesus and the disciples, Paul and Timothy, etc. These people made sure the work continued after they were gone. They equipped those who were younger to carry on the work at the level (and beyond) of what God did through them.
Many people today are not raising up the younger generation because they don't have the time or patience for it. It can be frustrating, but how can we expect the work to be carried out after we are gone if we are not willing to raise up others to carry the vision through? We get upset with the lack of passion, conviction, or values of the generation to come but God is looking at us. We are not doing our part in raising them up and teaching them these things. Sadly, most of the people or organizations that are investing in them don't know or care about Who we do. They aren't sending them the messages we know they need. That has to come from us.
The spiritual state of this generation is a direct reflection of the work those prior are/were willing to put into it. It is hard to teach and help to change a mindset, but God never called us to do what was easy. If we want to see bigger things done, then we need to equip the next generation to do those big things. We need to model for them what it is we want to see. Yeah, people can see light from a distance, but they won't know how to be one without careful examination of our lives. They have to be allowed (brought in) close enough to see how that light works.
God does not give us wisdom so that we can keep it to ourselves. He gives us revelations and does great things in our lives in order to bring us and others closer to Him. Wouldn't it be awesome to watch this generation do more than we have because they did not have to start off as far back as we did? If they can be brought as close as we are at a younger age, then they will do greater things as they continue to grow. They will have the faith, confidence, understanding, and love that we didn't.
We will be called into account for what we passed on to others. For too many, that consists of more unintentional messages than intentional ones. Bring someone into your life and pour everything you have learned about Him into them so that they can be as excited and passionate about Him as you are. It will be difficult and take a lot of work and sacrifice, but it is so worth it when you start seeing that person pour into others and even begin to pour into and inspire you. God is funny that way: we think we're only helping them grow, but He uses these relationships to grow us as well.
I read this question today and began to think. Is there anyone who could call me their hero? I'm not trying to take any glory or recognition from God. I don't want to be seen as a Savior, but can I say that anyone sees me as a role model? Am I someone they look to and strive to be like? Have I made such an impact on anyone's life that they have decided they want to be or look more like Him because they know my heart for Him and that He is the reason for my change?
We are called to raise up younger generations. The Bible says, "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us" (Titus 2:3-8 NIV).
It can be easy getting so caught up in doing ministry and fulfilling our responsibilities that we forget what is most important: pouring into others. If we look at the Bible, we will see examples throughout of people taking others along in their journey with them and passing along the wisdom God gave to them. There were Moses and Joshua, Jesus and the disciples, Paul and Timothy, etc. These people made sure the work continued after they were gone. They equipped those who were younger to carry on the work at the level (and beyond) of what God did through them.
Many people today are not raising up the younger generation because they don't have the time or patience for it. It can be frustrating, but how can we expect the work to be carried out after we are gone if we are not willing to raise up others to carry the vision through? We get upset with the lack of passion, conviction, or values of the generation to come but God is looking at us. We are not doing our part in raising them up and teaching them these things. Sadly, most of the people or organizations that are investing in them don't know or care about Who we do. They aren't sending them the messages we know they need. That has to come from us.
The spiritual state of this generation is a direct reflection of the work those prior are/were willing to put into it. It is hard to teach and help to change a mindset, but God never called us to do what was easy. If we want to see bigger things done, then we need to equip the next generation to do those big things. We need to model for them what it is we want to see. Yeah, people can see light from a distance, but they won't know how to be one without careful examination of our lives. They have to be allowed (brought in) close enough to see how that light works.
God does not give us wisdom so that we can keep it to ourselves. He gives us revelations and does great things in our lives in order to bring us and others closer to Him. Wouldn't it be awesome to watch this generation do more than we have because they did not have to start off as far back as we did? If they can be brought as close as we are at a younger age, then they will do greater things as they continue to grow. They will have the faith, confidence, understanding, and love that we didn't.
We will be called into account for what we passed on to others. For too many, that consists of more unintentional messages than intentional ones. Bring someone into your life and pour everything you have learned about Him into them so that they can be as excited and passionate about Him as you are. It will be difficult and take a lot of work and sacrifice, but it is so worth it when you start seeing that person pour into others and even begin to pour into and inspire you. God is funny that way: we think we're only helping them grow, but He uses these relationships to grow us as well.
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