The power of a Christian mentor

Mentorship is often associated with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. It is often seen as an adult helping a teen or pre-teen navigate the events life throws at them. We do not always associate mentorship with faith. The very opposite is true when we look at Sacred Scripture.

“And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.” 2 Timothy 2:2

This verse, and those similar, are often viewed as being applicable only to priests and deacons. It is not seen as a command for laity to obey and to take serious. Similarly, Titus writes in Titus 2:7-8 that we are to “set them an example by doing what is good.” He continues by saying that we are to show integrity and soundness in not only our words, but our deeds.

Just as a mentor through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters must set an example by their life and their words to the younger child they are mentoring then we, as strong and mature Christians, are to mentor others that are younger in the faith.

One of my favorite verses is in the book of Proverbs when, in Proverbs 27:17, it says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” I imagine a person sharpening a piece of iron with another piece of iron. I also love to envision what the writer of Proverbs envisioned when writing those words.

I love to cook and, as many chefs (or home chefs) know, you often sharpen your knife in order to ensure it cuts smoothly and easily. It has to be sharp to do its job well. A knife sharpener is metal, just like the knife. The knife cannot sharpen itself. It cannot “will” or “desire” to be sharpener and it happens. It must have something to help it become sharp. It must have a sharpener.
?When the knife is sharp, it can do its job better and more effective. When we allow others to be our sharpener in the faith, we become sharper and are able to do our job as Christians more effectively. It is up to us, as Christians, to share the Gospel. It is up to us to tell others about Jesus. .It’s up to us to ensure we have a sharpener that will also make sure we are sharp in our faith.

It doesn’t matter if it is a spouse, a friend, or a priest. It matters that you have someone who can be your faith sharpener so you can do the work God has intended for you to do and do it to the best of your ability.