Mentor at Every Opportunity

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 NLT

In a story titled, “Joseph Chebet, 1999 Boston and New York City Marathon Winner, Dies at 52” published Wednesday, it was reported that Joseph Chebet, renowned for his achievements in the 1999 New York and Boston marathons, which earned his home country of Kenya international acclaim, died at 52 on Friday. Chebet passed away after being hospitalized for three days following a short illness, his brother Ben Chebet told Kenya’s Daily Nation. “We have lost an icon,” Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei said following Chebet’s death. “He was one of the legends who brought fame to our country. And while Joseph’s running accomplishments might have brought fame to his country for a time, they’ll one day fade from everyone’s memory. Worldly successes always do. What he did after retirement though won’t. After retiring from running, Chebet started farming in his hometown of Kapyego and mentored many younger members of his Marakwet tribes, ensuring that the things he had learned would be passed on to others. Do you just love that or what? 

And you know when it comes to passing things of importance on to the next generation, we would all do well to follow the example of Paul who was a mentor to young Timothy, advising him to teach the truths Paul had taught him "to other trustworthy people" who would then "be able to pass them on to others." You see, while the Christian life is commonly compared to a marathon, it is also a relay race with the one finishing the race passing the baton on to the next person who will run with it for a while and then pass it on, and so on. In other words, well-taught believers are to teach others to commission them, in turn, to teach others--ensuring that disciples are making other disciples so that the "things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses" are passed on from one generation to the next. 

So if you're a well-taught believer, make it your goal to find and mentor new believers every chance you get my friend. Can you just imagine how the church would grow if every person did this? If every person was ready and willing to pass on the baton? It would be amazing, that's for sure!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that only what we do for You will last and that our work is not done until we ensure that new believers are able to make disciples of others. Lord, compel us to put our efforts and energy into only those things that will never fade with time. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!