One of the blessings I have received as pastor is the opportunity God has given me to mentor other minsters.  I’m so glad to have sons and daughters in the ministry.  I try to give them words of wisdom, and I also remind them of the importance of being strong in the Lord.  I tell them to not waver in their faith, but to have the tenacity and strength to look to Jesus, the one who has called them and equipped them for ministry. I am always mindful of the strong spiritual advice that Paul spoke to Timothy, his son in the ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:1, we find these words:

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.”

Paul wanted Timothy to be faithful, so he told him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  He also wanted him to be ethical. He did not want Timothy to be selfish, or to rely on his own power, but rather on the grace he had received from Christ Jesus.  Paul pleaded with Timothy to stay true to his calling because he knew there would be suffering ahead. I believe that every servant of God needs a mentor: someone who will encourage them and warn them of the dangers that lie ahead. I also pray that we will learn to be like Paul and say to those that we mentor, “be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.”