My burden for our children and youth has only grown in these last months. Now more than ever, we need to invest in the young men and women of our Nation. When I was a youth pastor, I noticed that most of my students wanted to use their voice, but needed direction on how. They needed direction.

My constant prayer as a youth pastor was, “Help me see what You see in them, Lord, and help me cultivate their giftings and ministries.” I became a spiritual mom to them and eventually I poured every bit of Biblical knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement I could.

Moses, without a doubt in my mind, was an incredible leader. Yes, he was flawed in some of his reactions, but when I position myself in his shoes, I know I would have lost my tempter with the children of Israel on more occasions than him. My former pastor’s wife would say, “The Bible does not hide the flaws of its hero’s.” The Word of God is honest when it displays the character of men and women—not to give us an excuse to perpetuate bad behavior, but to show us we are not alone in the quest of becoming more Christ-like.

Deuteronomy 3:28 explains God instructing Moses to equip a young man for leadership.

It says, “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.”

Deuteronomy 31:23 shows us that Moses obeyed the Lord.

“And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.”

Moses didn’t just give Joshua a charge, saying, “Be bold and courageous,” and then leave him to fend for himself. Moses showed Joshua how to be bold and courageous by taking him under his wing and mentoring him day after day. Imagine with me the experiences Moses shared with Joshua about growing up in Egypt, killing a man in his youth, fleeing to the desert, and many stories we don’t even know about.

Joshua was mentored by one of the greatest leaders of all time.

I desire to mentor leaders in my life. Here are a few questions that help me evaluate my investment in the next generation:

  • Do I have a teachable spirit?
  • Am I submitted to spiritual authority? (We can’t demonstrate being a good leader if we do not know how to submit to God’s authority in our life).
  • Who am I encouraging?
  • Am I exemplifying leadership qualities?
  • Who am I mentoring — or — who could I be mentoring?
  • What wisdom am I imparting?
  • What life lessons do I have to share?

I am only where I am in God today because of the people who believed in me.

Yes, Joshua was beyond blessed to have Moses in his life, and we often teach about becoming a Joshua Generation. However, something is missing from Joshua’s story.

There isn’t a record of Joshua taking a young man under his wing and duplicating himself into another leader. You see, when Moses died, there was Joshua to take his place. When Joshua died, there was no one. This resulted in Israel trying to “make it on their own” without a distinct leader. Because of this, they fell deeper into sin and idolatry more than ever before. What would have happened if Joshua would have mentored a successor?

Pray with me todayLord, I pray that you would show me who you have placed in my life to mentor. Help me become a great leader, one that exemplifies Your character and love, so I can disciple others to become more Christ-like. It’s more than leaving a legacy, I desire to foster leadership qualities in this generation that will blaze a pathway to You, Lord.

 

 

 

 

Author

Angela Overton is a lover of words, nature, and coffee. She is an ordained minister with the UPCI, has a Masters Degree in Theology, and loves to teach Bible studies. She and her amazing husband, Michael, pastor in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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