Community and relationships. Our Christian walk is dependent upon and, in many ways, seen in our relationships. Of course, there are many kinds of relationships and we need not only multiple relationships but a variety of types. I don’t think this is extremely difficult for women but there is always wisdom in looking at the friendships, bonds, and associations that we have. It gives us cause to be thankful and, as well, to ask the Lord’s wisdom wherever we might be lacking.
We all have one very close friend. A kindred spirit or a “bosom friend,” as Anne would say about Diana.
When you have been blessed with that friend, you need to thank the Lord often. Sometimes these friends last a lifetime. But I have also found that such friend may only be in your life for a season. That was a hard lesson for me to learn. Instead of mourning the loss of that type of relationship, I am learning to appreciate and savor the lasting impact it had on my life.
There is also that circle of friends that we simply connect well with – whether for fellowship or for ministry and serving as well. These relationships are mutually encouraging and strengthening. Paul found this type of bond with Aquila and Priscilla. As Christians, these relationships are often with other believers but they do not have to be. They might be in your neighborhood, at work or in other associations. The Bible has much to say about living alongside – and in harmony with – even those with whom we might not completely agree. These relationships have a place in our life. They can be strengthening – and a blessing.
My primary focus of this post – and Friday’s as well – is mentoring-type relationships…being a mentor and being the one mentored. Both are needed in our lives, however, I will confess that for a long type of steered away from both. I think the Bible challenges us to not only seek out mentors but to also make ourselves available to be a mentor.
Being a mentor.
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness…….that they may teach the young women….” Titus 2:3-4
All of us have others coming behind us. Some in age. But perhaps simply in their Christian walk. All of us are in different seasons. All of us have our own life experiences and we have the responsibility to share how God has led us – the good that has come from our faith – and to allow our experience to be a help, a challenge and an encouragement to others. It’s easy to think we don’t have anything to share or that we don’t have to personality to be a mentor (or a host of other excuses) but we need to all, at least, be willing. Willing to allow someone into your life. Being a mentor does not mean having all the answers. It does not require you to be the woman with the most wisdom. It simply means you have been through life (a little or a lot!) and you are willing to come alongside another and share however God leads.
If you have someone in your life like that already, thank the Lord for the opportunity to invest in someone else’s life. Ask for His wisdom to be a mentor that is not only helpful to the other person but also is a benefit to you. If you don’t have that type of relationship, make yourself available and open to it and see who God might lead your way.
