2024-08-21
Proverbs 4:7 NKJV
A pastor shares this: “The process of growing with the help of a mentor usually follows this pattern: It begins with awareness. You realize that you need help and that following yourself is not a viable option for effective personal growth. When a person comes to such a realization, one of two things can happen. The first is that the person’s pride swells up, and he cannot bring himself to ask another person for advice… The other reaction to awareness is to humble yourself and say, ‘I need your help.’
That decision not only leads to greater knowledge, but it also often develops maturity in you. It also reinforces that people need one another – not just when they’re young and starting out, but their entire lives… The mentors you take advice from help to shape you. If you spend your time with people who subtract from you, who belittle you or undervalue you, then every step forward that you attempt to take will be difficult. But if you find wise leaders, good role models, and positive friends, you will find that they speed you on your journey.
No matter who you are, what you have accomplished, how low or how high your life has taken you, you can benefit from having a mentor. If you’ve never had one, you have no idea how much it can improve your life. If you have had mentors, then you already know – and you should start passing it on by becoming a mentor to others. Because you know that it’s hard to improve when you have no one but yourself to follow.” So, “get wisdom,” and share it with those who need it.
Soul food: 2 Chr 8-11; Luke 15:1-10; Ps 119:89-96; Prov 21:20-23
Spreuke 4:7 NLV
‘n Pastoor deel die volgende: ‘Die proses om met die hulp van ‘n mentor te groei, volg gewoonlik hierdie patroon: Dit begin met bewustheid. Jy besef dat jy hulp nodig het en om op jouself staat te maak nie ‘n lewensvatbare opsie vir effektiewe persoonlike groei is nie. Wanneer iemand tot so ‘n besef kom, kan een van twee dinge gebeur. Eerstens weerhou die persoon se trots hom daarvan om iemand anders vir raad te vra. Die tweede reaksie is om jouself te verootmoedig en te sê: ‘Ek het jou hulp nodig.’
Hierdie reaksie lei nie net tot groter kennis nie, maar dit ontwikkel ook dikwels volwassenheid in jou. Dit versterk ook die wete dat mense mekaar nodig het – nie net wanneer jy jonk is en jou loopbaan begin nie, maar dwarsdeur jou lewe. Die mentors wie se raad jy volg, help om jou te vorm. As jy tyd met mense wat jou aftrek, verkleineer en onderwaardeer bestee, sal elke stap wat jy vorentoe probeer neem, moeilik wees. As jy egter wyse leiers, goeie rolmodelle en positiewe vriende vind, sal jy agterkom dat hulle jou reis versnel.
Maak nie saak wie jy is, wat jy al bereik het of hoe laag of hoe hoog die lewe jou al geneem het nie, jy kan daarby baat om ‘n mentor te hê. As jy nog nooit een gehad het nie, het jy geen idee hoe dit jou lewe kan verbeter nie. As jy al voorheen mentors gehad het, weet jy dit – en moet jy hierdie kennis begin oordra deur ‘n mentor vir ander te wees. Jy weet dat dit moeilik is om te verbeter wanneer jy net op jouself aangewese is.’ Bekom dus wysheid en deel dit met diegene wat dit nodig het.
Sielskos: 2 Kro 8-11; Luk 15:1-10; Ps 119:89-96; Spr 21:20-23
2024-08-20
Spreuke 9:9 NLV
Hoe verder jy jou potensiaal nastreef, hoe meer nuwe grond sal jy moet breek. Dis waar jy baat by ander mense se ervarings kan vind. Soos ‘n Chinese gesegde sê: ‘Om die pad vorentoe te ken, vra diegene op pad terug.’ Wanneer jy ‘n mentor kies, moet jy vir twee dinge oplet:
1) Iemand wat wysheid het. Die begrip, ervaring en wysheid van mentors help ons om probleme wat ons moeilik op ons eie sal hanteer, op te los. Wyse mense gebruik dikwels net ‘n paar woorde om ons te leer en te ontwikkel. Hulle maak ons oë vir wêrelde wat ons andersins nie sou sien nie, oop. Hulle help ons om moeilike situasies te navigeer. Hulle help ons om geleenthede raak te sien wat ons andersins sou miskyk. Hulle maak ons wyser as ons jare en ervaring.
2) Iemand wat vriendskap en ondersteuning bied. Jesus het vir diegene wat Hy gementor het gesê: ‘…Ek sal jou nie los nie. Ek sal jou nie in die steek laat nie’ (Hebreërs 13:5 NLV). Die eerste ding wat volgelinge by ‘n mentor wil weet is: ‘Gee jy vir my om?’ Die rede vir hierdie vraag is voor die hand liggend. Wie wil deur ‘n persoon gelei word wat nie in hulle geïnteresseerd is nie? Selfsugtige mense sal jou net sover dit hulle eie agenda bevorder, help. Goeie mentors gee vriendskap en ondersteuning en werk onselfsugtig om jou te help om jou potensiaal te bereik. Kennis sonder ondersteuning is steriel. Raad sonder vriendskap voel koud. Eerlikheid sonder omgee is hard. Wanneer jy egter deur ‘n persoon wat vir jou omgee gehelp word, is dit emosioneel vervullend. Ontwikkeling kom uit beide die kop en die hart. Net mense wat omgee is bly om beide met jou te deel.
Sielskos: 2 Kro 5-7; Luk 14:25-35; Ps 119:81-88; Spr 21:17-19
Proverbs 9:9 NIV
The further you go in the pursuit of your potential, the more new ground you will have to break. This is where you can benefit from the experience of others. As the Chinese proverb says, “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.” In picking a mentor, look for two things:
(1) Someone who possesses wisdom. The understanding, experience, and wisdom of mentors help us to solve problems we would have a hard time handling on our own. Wise people often use just a few words to help us learn and develop. They open our eyes to worlds we might not otherwise see. They help us navigate difficult situations. They enable us to see opportunities we would otherwise miss. They make us wiser than our years and experience.
(2) Someone who provides friendship and support. Jesus told those He mentored, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV). The first question most followers want to know of a mentor is, “Do you care for me?” The reason for this question is obvious. Who wants to be guided by a person who isn’t interested in them? Selfish people will assist you only insofar as it advances their own agenda. Good mentors provide friendship and support, unselfishly working to help you reach your potential. Knowledge without support is sterile. Advice without friendship feels cold. Candor without care is harsh. But when you are being helped by a person who cares for you, it is emotionally fulfilling. Development comes from both the head and the heart. And only caring people are glad to share both with you.
Soul food: 2 Chr 5-7; Luke 14:25-35; Ps 119:81-88; Prov 21:17-19
2024-08-19
Matthew 5:14 NKJV
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (vv. 14, 16 NKJV). The pastor continues to explain: “If you are a follower of Christ, you should also be light amidst the darkness. Your job is to let Jesus shine in and through you so that those living in the dark will find the light as well. That’s why it’s not enough just to shine.
Light is only useful when it encounters the darkness. The place to shine your light and show your light and and share your light, is not inside the church, but outside the church. Jesus tells us to do what He did: go find dark places and start shining… You don’t have to ask people to look at you when you turn on a light in a dark room. Their heads will turn instinctively.
(1) You play sports, and you begin playing for and with your teammates. You are a light in the darkness.
(2) You live in a neighbourhood filled with unbelievers and begin performing acts of service for others in Jesus’ name. You are a light in the darkness.
(3) You are the conspicuous Christian in your office, displaying virtue in an atmosphere of selfishness.
You are a light in the darkness. Jesus called us to find people in dark places and to move toward those who need Him. As it turns out, escaping from darkness is as easy as turning on the light.” Remember the children’s song: “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” That’s what God has called you to do.
Soul food: 2 Chr 1-4; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 119:73-80; Prov 21:14-16
