God is already up to something good…
Helping others grow up into Christ rests on an understanding and conviction that the primary shaping work in a person’s life belongs to God. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). Our burden as people, and as mentors in particular, is to first be alert and receptive to God’s relentlessly creative handiwork in the world. All our best thinking and acting, listening and asking questions and praying, is secondary to and cooperative with the Spirit’s work.
This is such good news for us. The Triune God is the Great Worker, the Great Mentor, always at work. Creating. Saving. Cultivating Community. Loving. Jesus is always up to far more than we can possibly imagine. By his Spirit, Jesus’ attention and care go before, alongside, and follows after any and all of our efforts. And we, as mentors or soul friends, get a front-row seat on this great work – transforming lives. It is such a privilege to get to walk alongside men and women and help them discover more deeply who God is, who they are, and what God desires to do through them.
Spirit of God,
Help me relax into the reality
of this Great Mentor-at-work
as I encourage others to be
who God created them to be,
men and women created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life (Ephesians 2:10).
Help me come to discover and trust the living Christ among us
as I enter into this ministry of mentoring conversations
along a morning walk
or around a conference room table
or over a good cup of coffee.
Amen.