Mentoring Myself

I want to be a fruitful Christian.
Well-known pastor Bill Hybels once stated the most difficult discipline of a leader is leading oneself, or "self-leadership." Then recently, in the area of discipleship, Mr. Hybels stated one of the most important ingredients to discipleship is "self-feeding." There is something about discipline that can easily get away from us. As Jesus said, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. One of the ways I encourage myself in my walk is to regularly, almost daily visit Peter's path to spiritual maturity in 2 Peter 1:4-8 (see post in Leadership Skill category "Making Disciples the Peter Way."). This is literally my grid for self-governance. I do several things to personalize and knead this passage into my life.1st, I've commited Peter's path to memory. I know all eight qualities needed to become a growing, fruitful Christian, in the order that Peter states it. This allows me to reflect on the eight qualities whenever I need to without having to refer to my bible.2nd, I judge myself against these qualities to see how I'm doing. Yes, I judge myself - to discern the good and the evil in me; to chastise myself or encourage myself. Mind you, when I say I judge myself, I mean that I'm doing it as best as I can in the spirit of prayer, and in the presence of God, so it's He who is judging me, and not myself. And when I say "chastise" myself, I'm not referring to self-effort or works, but a spurning on of myself in the light of God.3rd, I remind myself to trust in the process. Like King David said in Ps. 1, "like a tree planted by water that yields its fruit in it's season"...I need to be patient with the process. Because God's word has given us these words of life, I need not fear they won't work, but rather they will work spectacularly if I just rest in it.
4th, I try to connect each of the eight words to the larger framework of the bible, to other doctrines, meta-themes, bible characters, and lessons to deepen my understanding.
This I can say...as I've given myself to this path of "discipling myself," there is like a wall of strength that grows around me. There is deepening of Jesus' character in my life. If I tend to the seed, it's impossible that the fruit won't come out. I can begin to sense the apostolic authority inherent in Peter's words. To have a way to be successful as a Christian, experientially and not just positionally, fills me with gratitude and deep joy.
It all begins with diligence.
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Reader Comments (1)
faith and peace to you