Stepping Stones: Commitment Plus Humility Equals Growth

Transformational Thought

Few men and women of God have become extraordinary people of faith without the influence of mentors. A mentor is one who takes responsibility for the care and especially the growth … physical, psychological, emotional, relational, academic, or spiritual … of another. But for growth to happen, commitment is required from both the mentor and the student.

In the first 26 years of my life, God brought many mentors into my life, people of great skills in many areas. Humility was often tough for me, but the prize of growth and success motivated me deeply. I was a committed student, unafraid of hard work, and willing to endure and tolerate various pains. Delaying gratification was easier at each level and new-found area of growth.

My problem was that I was unable to transfer any of these gains, skills, or qualities to my spiritual world. An awareness of my spiritual depravity, and the great peace and abundant life of spiritual growth and connection to God were two concepts that were not even blips on my radar. My lenses were so clouded with fleshly needs, material rewards, or people’s approval, that I had no ability to see my core need for God as the answer for all my … everything.

Sadly, I believe many today have the same struggle, not realizing the true spiritual mentors God continually brings into their lives. More importantly, the bigger deficit is a lack of true commitment mixed with a me-first attitude, the unwillingness to practice regularly, and be a faithful steward of the sanctification process.

I fail to see the hunger within many believers. Many who could be greatly used by God in the Kingdom, are instead distracted by the cares of this world. It is an attitude of “a la carte” vs. an attitude of choosing the full measure of what God might have for them. To maximize mentoring, you need to be humble, and to commit to be all-in.

Today, ask God if there is someone He would have you either mentor or be mentored by. Start by asking yourself some questions. Who are the people God has placed in my life? Am I learning from them? Am I seeking a double portion of their anointing? What prevents me from gaining from their wisdom and experience? God may have brought them into your life to prepare you to be a man or woman of God. However, there is a time of training and waiting to prove out your own faith. God is always ready, so your growth is your decision. Choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I thank You, Father, for the people You have brought into my life as mentors. I pray for wisdom, patience, Biblical values and ethics, integrity, and everything spiritual mentors need to be effective and to carry out their responsibilities in a manner that is pleasing to You and beneficial for those being mentored. I pray for Your special touch on Christian mentors, and for their protection from all harm and evil. Thank You, God. In the name of the perfect mentor, Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
...Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.
Zechariah 8:23

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Titus 2:3-5

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2 Tim. 2:2