The MET Church Houston, Texas

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

U.S. Congressman and presidential candidate, John McCain, enjoyed an affluent childhood, private schools and the U.S. Naval Academy. He was a career Navy fighter pilot and decorated prisoner of war. John was very successful and could have easily taken credit for his own success. Instead, he says, “A former high school teacher of mine, Mr. William Ravenel, changed my life.”

McCain’s mentor had been a football player at Duke, served in World War II in General Patten’s tank corps and continued to serve in the Army Reserve. Mr. Ravenel was McCain’s junior varsity coach and English teacher; he was a man of admirable qualities who used his classroom to teach values, standards and morals along with Shakespeare. This man was so admirable that McCain and all the other boys wanted to be like him. Mr. Ravenel seized the opportunity to impart on them the honor code of their school and the teaching of the various classics. He focused on the feelings behind the words and not just the words themselves.

Those values, standards and morals that Ravenel passed on contributed greatly to molding McCain into becoming who he is today. McCain has dedicated his life to serving his country and Americans have enjoyed a big return on the investment William Ravenel made in that young man’s life. Similarly, there are several instances in the Bible where lives have been enriched by the mentoring of others. For instance, the nation of Israel benefited significantly from the investment Moses made in Joshua’s life as seen throughout the book of Joshua. Consider the gain we as Christians have realized from Timothy’s willingness to submit to the wisdom and maturity of Paul. (1 Timothy 4:11 – 13)

So, ask yourself who is molding you? Think of someone whose character, maturity and life you admire. Get together with them over coffee or lunch and learn. Or better yet, whose life are you influencing/shaping? Who can you invest your life in? Be intentional to get to know them and spend some time doing life together.