SCARS OF THE MENTOR!

SCARS OF THE MENTOR!

2 Tim 3:14-15

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Zech 13:6

6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

Gal 6:16-17

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

If you have gone through trouble with no apparent reason perhaps it’s not for you at all. Perhaps it is so you can show your scars to some beginner. Experience comes from experiences both good and bad. The pain you now feel will heal and leave a scar. Later, you will be able to point to those marks and share the wisdom that came from that painful time. Let’s listen in as the aged and wounded Paul gives important advice to tender Timothy…

2 Tim 2:2-3

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

It is not an accident nor is it a coincidence that “endure hardness” is coupled with “teach others also.” Much of my advice to younger people is: “Don’t respond like I did. There is a better way!” Some of your wounds along the way will be self inflicted.

Jesus, of course, had no self inflicted wounds. Zechariah 13:6 is an obvious reference to the sufferings of Jesus by, and in the house of, His friends. Psalm 22:16 mentions His pierced hands and feet. When you finally arrive at that place where you feel confident to give advice, you will no doubt have wounds from those who claimed to be your friends. These wounds will be deeper and more useful for instruction than others.

Someone wrote these lines…

“I walked a mile with pleasure. She chatted all the way.

But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say.

I walked a mile with sorrow and not a word said she.

But oh, the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me.”

Dear Lord, when looking for advice let me look for the scars of the mentor. When going through pain let me remember well so that I may teach others also. AMEN