Thursday Thoughts - Reaching and Teaching

"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 train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind..." (Titus 2:3-5a,NIV).

One day, following a church service, a fellow 'lead worshipper' approached me. She is a fabulously lovely, young, hip '20-something' chick who totally loves Jesus. To my surprise and delight, she asked if I would consider becoming her mentor. At first I thought...'but I'm way too young to be your mentor!' Then I woke up from my momentary dream and remembered that I am a wise-on-my-good-days, slightly-elder-ish 'almost 40-something' chick with a decade of life, marriage, and ministry on her. I was excited and scared at the same moment as I prayerfully agreed. I have been blessed beyond measure by many women in my life who are slightly more gray and slightly less green than I am!

Have you ever wanted life advice and didn't know who to talk to? I have. We all need a spiritual mentor to take our hand as we face life. Likewise, we all need to grab hold of a younger spiritual hand for the journey, to bring them along in Christ and strengthen their spiritual muscles, to encourage, teach and admonish. As runners in a relay race reach forward to grab the baton from their teammate in front of them, they also extend the baton back to a runner about to take off in her own race. We need to be reaching and teaching! Look at what the apostle Paul told his disciple, Titus, about women doing life with other women:

"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 train 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" (Titus 2:3-5, NIV).

The Bible says in Mark chapter 6 that after John the Baptist had died, his disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. I find it interesting that the word 'disciples' is used instead of the word friends or associates. The implication is that John had poured his life into guiding and instructing these men in the truth and hope of Christ. 

The Bible also tells us that Jesus revered John the Baptist as one of the greatest men to ever walk the earth. Interestingly, John did not consider himself even worthy to tie the sandals of Jesus. So even a man such as John the Baptist, who was set apart for a special God-mission to prepare the way for the LORD, needed to reach forward to Christ for guidance and wisdom. Though he was not one of the chosen twelve disciples of Jesus, John the Baptist was, indeed, a disciple of the Lord. What a beautiful example we see here. John was a disciple and made disciples. With God's help and a little effort, we can do both, too! 

Friends, daily devotions and inspirations can't be the only resource you've got in this area. Even though they may encourage and spur you on toward the heart of God, you need flesh-friends in your life for the same purpose. I challenge you to prayerfully connect with one or two women this week to discuss this mentoring topic. Reach ahead. Reach behind. When you do, deep blessings and growth will be evidenced in your life and in the life of those with whom you connect.

Dear Lord,

You are so good to instruct us toward relationships...both with You and with others. Would you help me to grow in faith?  Would you use me to make a difference in the lives of other women as well? Please lead me in Your will and in Your ways. 

In the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen.

Do you have a spiritual mentor?  

Are you mentoring anyone right now?  

If so, connect regularly.

If not, take a few moments to seek God's heart about this for your life.