The Blessing of Being Connected with Brothers and Sisters given to us by God.
Ayako Seto
A lot of people who attended the online JCFN BBWIT20 expressed an interest in a follow-up online seminar on “mentoring”.
We had two questions given to us in advance as homework.
(1) Have you had someone help you become better equipped as a Christian?
(2) Have you been involved in helping others to become better equipped as a Christian?
I thought about it beforehand and shared my thoughts during the seminar.
Even though the relationships were not called “mentor” or “mentee,” each of us had experienced relationships in which we were equipped, and encouraged each other. I realized that I had the same kind of relationship even though it wasn’t called mentoring.
If it doesn’t have a formal label attached to it, we may think that we don’t have such a thing. If the other person doesn’t acknowledge it, you may not be able to be proud of your desire to encourage and support them. However, I thought it’s important to realize and acknowledge that I have been given such a blessed relationship within God’s family, where we support, encourage and teach each other, regardless of the name of the relationship.
I also had the opportunity to hear a panel discussion of those who had experience in both being mentored and mentoring.
What impressed me, and what I’d like to do myself, is to “find out what the purpose of mentoring is and make it clear from the start. It’s true that I don’t think about such things unless I’m aware of them.
“I want to change (and have God change me), I want to learn more about Jesus”
“I want to learn more about myself.”
I don’t want to forget these things when I’m mentored and when I have the chance to be a mentor.
Even those who have served as a mentor, they didn’t start because they felt confident in their faith or because or for recognition. It was a time when they were asked more questions about faith, or when they were asked to mentor others, and it seemed that the role was given to them like a calling, not because they were ready. Everyone served as a mentor with the mindset of growing together, thinking that they themselves were still in a position to grow.
Encouraging each other is one of the things that God tells us to do. The Bible talks about it not just once, but many times.
It made me want to do what I can, not because the relationship has a name or I get recognition, but because I want to follow what God desires for me to do, and think about the fact that God sees my heart and motivations.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend the seminar, where I learned a lot.
Thank you very much.
