This blog will be more of a ramble of my thoughts, but I do hope it will help someone get their life set in the right direction. The other night as I was preparing to go to sleep I thought about the word mentor. What is a mentor? Mr. Webster gives it this definition.
Mentor-A trusted counselor or guide, a tutor or coach.
I can only use my life as an example of how necessary a mentor is. I was born again in October, 1962, in the Methodist church. The evangelist was Reverend Ben Cain. I did not know how to be saved, but I wanted to be. I was, but where were those older in the Lord, to help and guide me? They were nowhere to be found. I was supposed to attend Church, pray, read my Bible, and everything would be ok. I did, but my life never had a purpose or goal, even if I knew what one was. I lost my way many times, and screwed up on a regular basis. I always returned to the Lord to clean me up. Did I have to live this way? No! But the “Church” is an organization of immature Christians, who are in no better shape than I was.
So many people get lost and discarded by the very ones who are supposed to care for and lead them. What is wrong? I believe it is because of no mentorship and not very many disciples, but lots of Christians, without purpose or direction.
I have several Ministry ideas that I would like to share with my readers to enable them to become mentors to someone. I will give a brief view of two of them.
Rescue Me- This is where you would of come along side of a struggling Christian and become that life preserver, or lighthouse to them. Rescue and mentor them. We all need someone who will take an interest in our life and be that Priest to them at their time of need. No better way to find out what you really know.
Finish The Race- This is where you go to those believers who are about to leave this earth. Those who are in Retirement homes, or even those who are still able to care for themselves, but are alone. You can be that brother or sister to them, to help give them hope and purpose, that even in their advancing age they can make a difference in one more life, in their own surroundings.
This new-old idea of a mentorship program, which should be a way of life to us and not a job that someone does for pay. It should be something you “love” to do. If it is your job, then you are blessed to be in that job where you are not really working and getting paid for it. No better way to judge your own life when you are listening to another’s cry for help in their life. It really makes you accountable to God, and should set your feet to dancing as you go about the Lords work of doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38).
Why do the trades have apprenticeship programs? It is because they provide personal attention from experienced practitioner’s that will help the learners to be able to master essential skills, attitudes, and knowledge.
Some Biblical examples are- Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Naomi and Ruth, Paul and Timothy.
A mentor is a brain to pick, and an ear to listen, and someone who will direct you, and guide you in the right direction. Mentors shape lives physically, emotionally, ethically, financially, and most importantly spiritually. (Put into practice what Mr. Webster said in his definition). As a mentor you will be able to to help your disciple to not just read their Bible, but to learn to study the word of God for themselves, and not just take someone’s word for it. This will allow them to own what the Bible says and just not follow blindly someone’s opinion. The only opinion that is right is, the Bible, as that is Gods opinion.
Most of us are probably bad examples to be mentors, but in another way we are great examples because we have already been there, done that, and this is how you can avoid these traps. I hope I have helped someone see a ministry waiting to be developed.
Remember this, You will make it, just don’t give up. See you next week.
The Kilted Priest 