We have been briefly looking at how we are called and gifted by God, “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). That makes us EMPOWERED people before the Lord. One of our main callings is to bring God’s Kingdom to earth, and we do this by establishing new things in the Name of Jesus. Earlier in this EMPOWER series, we discussed dreaming bigger with the Lord, as well as knowing our assignments and overcoming obstacles as we pursue the calls on our lives. This time we talk about another important aspect of living an empowered life: doing life with others in a faith community.
In my younger days, I thought God and I would conquer the world. I was going to be single, maybe a missionary and just follow His lead, all on my own. Really it was pride. God convicted me and I repented and immediately He drew me into deeper relationships with faith filled people that I could do life and ministry with. I believe, and the Bible gives many examples, that we all need to be in community and have close friends as we pursue the callings of God.
Strangely enough the person that encouraged David the most was Jonathan, the current king’s son who normally would have been heir to the throne. Jonathan not only encouraged David but also kept him safe and helped him escape when King Saul was out to kill him.
We find many of examples in the Bible of people doing their assignments and callings but being sent with community support. Moses had his brother and sister to assist in confronting Pharaoh and rescuing the people from Egypt, and on the journey to Israel. Daniel was also on assignment, but had three friends with him.
But beyond friends that encourage and accompany us, listening to the wisdom of mentors is hugely important in our journey with the Lord. Mentors won’t be perfect, and you may not want to emulate everything from their lives, but they are hugely important and should be honored. Listening, learning from and even yielding to spiritual fathers and mothers, can be an essential part of growing in the Lord.
In the Bible, there are many examples of mentorship or spiritual parents. Elisha learned under the prophet Elijah for years. Timothy and Titus received the spiritual parenting from Paul, as did John Mark from Peter (1 Peter 5:13). It is even a general command that Paul gave to the churches, that “ they [older women] can teach the younger women …” (Titus 2:4). “Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people” (II Timothy 2:2).
EMPOWERING faith communities should be made up of friends and mentors. Such communities will help us become who God intended us to be. They are the people that surround us as we undertake our callings and appointments. It is important to recognize each path to maturity in Christ is unique. That in the community your goal is to pour into each person and not try to use or fix them. Each season in our empowered journey with the Lord will have assignments and obstacles, but many times there will also be companions too. Who are your empowering people? And who are you pouring into and empowering?
