Day 13 - Our Mentor God

Do you have problems sleeping when you should be sleeping? Sometimes no matter what we do sleep seems far away, unable to switch off our minds and wishing that we had an on/off switch to help us. Often these are the times when we are at our busiest or are faced with something that we are worried or anxious about, making it almost impossible to clear our minds at the end of the day.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28

Our world can be demanding, fast moving and relentless. We can find ourselves drained physically, mentally, and spiritually and unable to achieve or maintain our potential. Lent can be a time to get ourselves and our lives in order.

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”. Philippians 4:6

At the start of Lent each year I take time to reflect on where I am at and what things need to be prioritised. This year is no exception and as I began to think things through my thoughts turned to my childhood. During Lent as children we thought about Easter bunnies, Easter bonnet competitions and the expected hoard of chocolate eggs we would inevitably receive on Easter morning. As we approached Lent, we were encouraged to consider giving something up for Lent, I can remember giving up chocolate, which wasn’t very much of a sacrifice, as we had chocolate rarely, usually on Thursday evenings, when my dad got his wages. I didn’t make the connection between Jesus’s sacrifice and the chocolate. It was just something we did, and the point was lost! How often do we do things without really understanding?

At these times we can benefit from a ‘mentor’. As a teenager I was so fortunate that an elderly lady at my church took it on herself to guide me, spending time explaining to me the whole Easter story and its meaning. That Easter I think I experienced Easter for the first time, with all its sadness, celebration, and love - God’s love. I was hooked! It was a time of personal spiritual growth which affirmed my faith and set me on a journey I am still on today.

“With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.” Psalm 119:10-12

God is our mentor and during Lent we have an opportunity to take time to come to God in prayer, in song, in thought and in silence, to listen, to give thanks and praise to Him. It’s a time to reflect, to remember the sacrifice God made in giving us His Son and to give thanks and to grow in faith.

It can be a time of peace in a busy uncompromising world. We can draw solace and strength from knowing that if we get it wrong, or if we don’t fully understand, it is okay with God. He is patient and will allow for our lack of understanding and our mistakes. We are forgiven even before we make mistakes. I find that very reassuring. It feels like a safe space to try out, make mistakes and to learn.

“Repent therefore and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” Acts 3:19

We can learn so much from Jesus’s ministry. He showed us by example that He needed to take time out to regain His strength and resolve to carry out His Father’s work. God was His mentor, and in turn Jesus is ours, showing us how to take care of ourselves, how to pray, listen and take advice even when we are told something we really don’t want to hear. When Jesus had spent time with God, He returned to continue God’s will with a renewed strength and determination. As Christians we can all learn and take strength from Him, not only during Lent but for the rest of our lives.

Kathy Shaw