Jesus had the disciples, Paul had Timothy and Elijah had Elisha. Each of these great leaders and teachers imparted what they know into someone else. The result was a changed life, a renewed passion for God and impacting the world around them. We have to become people who pass on to one another who God is, what HE has done and what He can still do in your life.
When I graduated high school, I went to a program called Master’s Commission. This is a 9 month intense discipleship program that submerges you in God’s Word and hands on ministry. During my second year of this program, our Director used a phrase almost daily that still resonates with me today. She would say, “Every Paul needs a Timothy”. We were taught that even though we are still learning and growing there are things we have already learned that we must pass on. We were to find a first year student and raise them up to fulfill one of the roles we were currently leading. We would lead them, guide them and show them everything we know to help them succeed and one day even possibly replace us.
This thinking is so backwards in most of the world. We think “Why would I pour into someone who could take my job? What about me? I need to worry about myself!” But every time I poured into someone else and raised them up, God had something waiting for me; a bigger challenge, something new and different to learn. It didn’t always feel like a step up, but it was always a step in the direction God was taking me.
What has God shown you that you can pour into someone else? What do you want to learn about God and where He is taking you that you can absorb from someone else?
As we pray today, let us ask God to provide for us in 2 ways. First, God give me someone to pour into what you have shown me. Two, God give me a mentor that will pour into me what you have shown them.
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Psalm 145:4 “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.”
Proverbs 9:9 “Teach a wise person, and they will become even wiser. Teach a person who does right, and they will learn even more.”