It's a very regular thing for me to meet girls in college and seminary who have a passion for girls' ministry. Every so often I talk to one and I think to myself, "she's got it. She understand the heart of girls' ministry." Today's guest blogger, Jennifer, is one of such people. Enjoy her words of encouragement.
Moses had Joshua.
Paul had Timothy.
Batman had Robin.
Who do you have?
I can imagine the emotions that must have stirred within Timothy as he read these words from Paul:
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:2
Timothy had experienced firsthand the investment of one person's life into another's. He knew the sacrifice that Paul made to teach him so much about Christ, ministry, and life. Paul spoke so sweetly of Timothy to the church at Philippi in Philippians 2:19-24 when he said, "but you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel..." A beautiful description of what discipleship looked like.
Knowing that Tim knew the value of being a protégé, Paul challenges Timothy: "Find one! Find people around you and pour your life into theirs. Show them what it means to walk with Jesus faithfully through this life. Identify those that you can count on to continue this cycle by pouring out what you have poured in."
Within my own life I have seen this truth in all its glory.
As a freshman in college I was surrounded by wonderful upperclassmen who poured into my life. I was challenged to commit to leading a Bible study on a floor of freshman girls during my sophomore year. I gladly stepped up and had the privilege of serving 15-20 girls on a weekly basis through the study of the Word. I was overjoyed at the end of that year when two of my girls took the challenge of "taking over" when I moved out of the dorm. They continued on with new freshmen the following year. Two of their girls have now stepped up to again carry on for this coming year to the new students who will fill the dorms. Oh the beauty!
I cannot help but wonder if part of the chronic disobedience that the Israelites experienced after deliverance into the Promise Land was because Joshua didn't have someone to pour into. Moses trained Joshua in the knowledge of Yahweh and equipped Joshua to carry on after Moses had passed (Deut. 3:28). Yet Scripture mentioned nothing about Joshua raising up a young man to take the reins. I'm sure the people would have continued to disobey, but there is something to be said about the longing in our hearts to follow someone who has proved to be trustworthy and faithful.
Who are your Joshua's? Who are your Timothy's? Who can you pour into that will in turn pour into others? Are you reproducing reproducers?
I challenge you to make 1 Corinthians 11:1 the true cry of your heart as you seek to lead young women in pursuit of the King...
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
Trust me, they will follow.
Jennifer surrendered her life to Christ at a young age but determined not to let her life become complacent. As a high school student she fell in love with reading, studying, and memorizing the word of God, a love that carried over into her college years when, as a freshman, she felt a call to ministry. She is a Biblical Studies major at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She loves coffee, thunderstorms, and chocolate chip ice cream.
Leave a comment