Isaiah 30:20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.

A major problem with being a disciple of Jesus Christ today is that we can’t see Him. That certainly doesn’t mean He isn’t there, but in our human frailty we have trouble maintaining focus. That’s where the Church, the Body of Christ, comes in. We are visible and audible to one another, and the words we speak and the example we set are to guide and encourage one another in obedience to Christ. I am reminded of the small child who, when frightened, wanted “Jesus with skin on” to comfort them, rather than the abstract idea of His presence. We are to be “Jesus with skin on” to one another in every respect. Of course, there is only one Savior, one Name, one Lord, but we are to be His agents to one another and to the world. Paul expressed that very clearly in Colossians 3:16, in which he also expressed the necessary condition for us to do it right. That is, we must allow God’s Word to “dwell in us richly.” Without a firm foundation on the Word of God, we will be the blind leading the blind, as Jesus put it so colorfully. (Matthew 15:14) In practical terms, we tend to become disciples of those we can see. That’s why it’s so important that both those doing the discipling and those being discipled have a clear, sharp awareness of and submission to Jesus Christ.

This is of course of great importance and urgency to me as a pastor. I am not to draw back from saying with Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) At the same time, I must make it very clear that I am going to disappoint, but Jesus will never disappoint. I am far from perfect, but I am visible, which makes me a teacher people can see. I am responsible to God for the example I set as well as the things I say, whether in formal teaching situations or otherwise. I have indeed hurt people by my imperfections and mistakes, but that must not make me give up. As Cathy and I were discussing just yesterday, God uses very imperfect vessels for His glory, and I must keep myself available even as I am aware of my imperfection. I have never had a major mentor, so for lack of an example I have been at a loss at times as to how to mentor others. However, I have had many people who have spoken into my life at various times and in various ways, so I need to let the Holy Spirit guide me in which example to call on in each situation, so as to be an effective mentor to those who look to me now.

Father, thank You yet again for Your grace. Thank You for the sharp awareness that I can’t do things right on my own. Thank You that You can and do accomplish what is needed in and through me. Thank You for the times just in the past couple of days that You have allowed me to encourage and affirm others. May we indeed see ourselves and each other as You see us, to be active and joyful in our obedience to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!