This is the 3rd blog in a 7-part series on Mentorship, and deals with the second criterion: our desire to change. (There are five criteria; we will cover numbers three, four, and five in the next three days, and then have one “conclusion” blog on the subject of this Blog Series: Mentorship.)
Christ is the only motivation we need to reach down inside ourselves and uncover a passionate desire to change. Resistance to change is our sinful response to the call of Christ. Most often, our sin in this area is based on fear. The Bible is crystal-clear about fear: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV) So why then do we allow ourselves to be afraid of change? Here are some reasons:
- Willful disobedience: “I am afraid of change; I don’t want to stretch into new behaviors.” Realize this as sin, confess this as such, and turn from your fear of change.
- Unconscious sin: “I don’t fully realize that most fear I have is sinful; I need to confess this fear as sin, repent, and avoid being fearful.”
- Habitual sin: “I have a problem with fear; I am a fearful person, and I struggle to overcome my fear of change.” Confess this as the sin it is; repent; make up your mind that you will not let fear be your master.
Take this quick assessment and see where you stand with your “desire to change.”
How willing are you to change?
Score yourself on a scale of 25 points per question, for the following four questions. See how close you score to an “A,” which would be a 90% or better. Then, whatever your score, think about how you are going to improve.
FOUR QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE “DESIRE TO CHANGE”
- I have a strong desire to improve and become a better Christ-follower than I presently am. Score __ (Max. 25 points)
- Those who know me see that I have a continuous desire to grow and develop. Score __ (Max. 25 points)
- I am aware of the upheaval and uncertainty that personal change creates and am desirous of the outcome, despite the energy required. Score __ (Max. 25 points)
- Fellow Christ-followers, work colleagues, and spiritual mentors see me as being open to their suggestions for growth and development. Score __ (Max. 25 points)
Total Score ___ (Max. 100 points)
Based on your score, what actions are you going to take to increase your desire to change?
ACTION STEPS EXERCISE (same exercise as yesterday’s post suggested)
Make a list of 4 – 7 actions. Share these with Christ Jesus, in your next quiet time, and share these with an earthly mentor. If you don’t have a flesh-and-blood mentor, and you think you are too old to have one, think again. Maybe that is an action you can take: Get a mentor here on earth. If you don’t see Christ as your mentor, and this is a new insight for you, as it was for me as I wrote this, then perhaps you want to formally ask for your relationship with Christ to go to the “next level” and ask for Him, the Perfect Mentor, to start mentoring you. And, if you are not having a daily quiet time, perhaps you want to start with that baby step.
CONCLUSION (repeated from the previous two posts)
Until we are in heaven, we will need mentors. And, others will need us to mentor them. May we all mentor others with the same skills and abilities that Christ had. May we all be as coachable as mentees as Christ was. And may all of us have mentors, and mentor others, helping Christ’s ministry leaders finish well. Amen. I believe this is God’s will in each of our lives. What do you think? I would love to hear from you on this subject. Feel free to write to me at the address below and share your thoughts.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
August 2, 2023
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at Daniel@SOLIDpastors.org. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.
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