Planning seems to one of God's ways. An oft quoted Bible verse tells us; For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
In Isaiah 53:10 we read more of God's planning; Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain, the plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him. The Message
Through the prophet Jeremiah we learn that God makes plans. His plans are for our good, not for our ruin. We have been looking back into our wounds for the purpose of discovering the good He will make out of our pain. Through the prophet Isaiah we read of God's plan to redeem mankind.
Hmmm? I wonder if the work of putting our manhood plans in ink would please the God of plans? I kind of think so. How much progress are you making with your plan? He promises to make good out of your plan and that good will manifest itself in relationships.
I encourage you to let the ink flow to the paper. Get started. I did last week and things came out that were very encouraging and uplifting.
Session 10 of The Quest has stirred a great deal of reflection for me. During the morning small group gathering I had a hard time recalling if I ever had any mentors. As the day wore on, several men came to my mind and then I recognized the positive contribution they made to my life. Each guy had something signifcant to share with me and I really think the "pouring in" to my life happened quite naturally. It was through the "hanging out" that prinicples were transferred.
I am also reflecting on the mentoring that has occurred for my son Damon while he was here in Friday Harbor. Just the other day he mentioned the names of some men who gave him wisdom, encouragement, confidence and perseverence. Pictured you see Adam Stone next to Damon at the county fair. Adam was one of the men who took Damon under his wing for a time.
Thank you to all the men who invested in me and my son!
All this to say, mentoring is significant and it is one of the primary ways God can use us as men to pour into the life of a younger boy or man. I hope and pray as you scratch out your "manhood plan", that you will also consider how you might mentor a young boy or young man. Iron can't sharpen Iron without a touch point.
