“Blessings and Hurdles: The Joys and Struggles of Mentorship” by Guest Writer: Betty Predmore

Making a difference for Christ … it’s what we all strive to do, right?  Being a light in someone’s dark spaces, sharing hope and encouragement, guiding another soul to finding their own calling in Christ … all beautiful opportunities to teach minds, change hearts and free souls.

What an absolute joy it is to share the word of God and watch it transform a heart!  Watching God’s word unfold and come alive in the life of a lost soul is such a precious thing.  But it is not the end.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.  Psalm 119:130 ESV

Once we share Jesus with someone, we have to continue the journey with them.  Do you remember when you first opened your Bible to read and none of it made a lick of sense to you?  How grateful were you for others who could explain and enlighten you as you began your journey?  Now it can be your turn to be that blessing to someone else, to help them decipher all God’s word has for them.

We form bonds with those we mentor.  

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

We help them see they are not alone in their struggles, and that Jesus has the answer to their problems.  We share our own journeys of pain and victory to give them hope. 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17 ESV

We pray with and for them. We bear their troubles as our own. 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 ESV

As joyful as it can be to mentor another Believer in their walk with the Lord, it can also be a struggle at times.  Sometimes you feel misunderstood.  At times, the burdens you bear for others can get a little messy.  Other times you just feel tossed about, very much like those Disciples so long ago who got in the boat with Jesus after a full day of ministry, tossed to and fro in the midst of a storm after spending their day in service to others.

There are times when our efforts lead to disappointment.  The hopes we had for a person are not seen to fruition.  Even after all the time we have invested, they still don’t seem to grasp the concept of freedom through Christ, eternal life, salvation, and what it means to live for Jesus. 

That is when we are called to run the race of endurance. 

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36 ESV

The reward is seen in the blessings of leading others to Christ.  The reward is seen in living a life of obedience in sharing what God has and is doing in your own life so that others can see.  The reward is seen in watching another bow in humility and accept what Christ has to offer.

But the greater reward … the far greater reward … awaits us in our eternal home, where we receive the crown of life and the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Purpose Driven Women and Gift of Thorns. While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days. Connect with Betty at http://www.momsenseinc.org and http://www.bettypredmore.com.

We thank you, Betty, for contributing to this month’s publication of Titus-two.com, talking about “Mentoring.”

You are loved to Heaven and Back ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary