We often don’t realize how much we are shaped by those around us. Likewise, we often forget how much we are shaping those that are around us. In our own selfishness and ego we assume that we are coming up with all of our own original thoughts and ideas when the reality is we don’t have any original ideas we only forget where we heard them or we convince ourselves they were ours to begin with. (as a note, I didn’t even come up with that….thank you Hauerwas….but I’m sure he heard it somewhere too….get my drift)
I read one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture today, Hebrews 11. In my yearly reading through the bible, July 14 was “Hebrews 11 day”. In reading Hebrews 11 (which talks about the great giants of God’s story who have acted in faith in response to God’s grace at work in their lives; they are the model to follow) I was reminded of the importance of a mentor relationship and accountability within my life. I have a number of mentors in my life (through books) but only a couple that I am in a face to face relationship with.
Branson Sheets (Lead Pastor of Covenant Church in Greenville, NC) is one of those relationships. As I look at Branson’s life I see a man that walks by faith. He leads with a passion and a boldness that I long to embody in my own life. Branson is willing to have tough conversation when needed and seizes opportunities to lead in the midst of conflict. Branson is able to recognize when to push forward in leading especially when satan is trying to convince him otherwise. Branson’s courage is inspiring and I long to embody those same qualities.
I also have two accountability brothers that I meet with on a regular basis. In this group we hold each other accountable to pursuing Jesus in ways I didn’t think was possible. We are raw and transparent with each other in ways that can only happen through God’s grace. God is using this group to continue to rid my life of sin and free me to be the man Jesus is calling me to be.
Hebrews 11 reminds me that we are on a journey and that we cannot journey alone. I’m reminded of how important it is to identify mentoring and accountability relationships in our lives to journey as Jesus desires. Otherwise we are journeying with the world and our lives will reflect that journey.
If you are a follower of Jesus today it is mandatory that you have both mentoring and accountability relationships in your life. My current denomination requires these accountability relationships and at times puts these groups together; I find that this (putting together groups) rarely works. Anytime we are forced to enter into relationships with folks that we do not personally identify the group never reaches a transparency that is needed to make real changes in our lives. I say this to say that yes, it is mandatory for you to have both mentoring and accountability relationships in your life to be the follower of Jesus that He desires; however, these relationships you must seek out through Jesus’ grace.
To be a follower of Jesus and not have mentoring or accountability relationships in your life is like telling everyone you can swim but you never get in the water. My hope today is that you would spend some time thanking Jesus for these relationships in your life or to spend time asking Jesus to guide you in establishing these relationships that you may swim in the “deep water” of life.
Peace,
Pastor P
chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com; www.wedesiremore.com
