This past week my family and I spent a few days in Miami and we couldn’t pass up a day at the beach. We were able to get into the warm water. As I stepped into the ocean, I was overcome with a sense of how big it was and how small I was. Moreover, I was acutely aware that there were some really big fish somewhere in all of that water; fish that could survive and thrive in the ocean but not in a pond. It reminded me of something I heard once; fish are restricted in their growth based on the size of their aquarium. Put a fish in a small tank it will remain small .Put it into a larger tank and you’ve given it the means for growth. God intends for us to grow into our full potential in Christ. So, the Lord may start us out in a fish bowl, and then move us to a pond, and move us then into ocean. Are you in a growth zone? Has your aquarium become too small? Then, expand it! We’ll never reach our full potential unless we go big for God. That’s what happened to our teams that traveled to Bogotá over Spring Break. They stepped into a bigger world than what they were used to and met God in a big way.

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk
so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.
Cry out for this nourishment,
1 Peter 2:2 (NLT)

Be Inspired!
Carl

Mentorship
I only do a handful of interviews here at the church and it is primarily when we are hiring a pastoral position. One of the most important questions I ask the prospective candidate is about mentorship. “Who are your mentors?” It is always interesting to hear their response. It takes some by surprise. Nothing says more about your future to me than your choice of mentors. Your mentors are my predictors of your future. Proverbs says, “Follow the wise and be wise. Follow fools and be foolish.” Everyone needs a mentor or two, or three or more.

Take the old prophets as your mentors.
They put up with anything,
went through everything,
and never once quit,
all the time honoring God.
James 5:10 (MSG)

A mentor is someone who’s knowledge and experience can save you years of frustration. Mentorship is the transference of knowledge from the mentor to the protege. This is seen in several Old and New Testament relationships: Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha and the most famous: Paul and Timothy. A mentor is someone whose hindsight can become your foresight. One catholic theologian calls contemporary mentors “soul friends.” I like that term. Who is your “soul friend?” To whom are you being a “soul friend?” Without a mentor, you will never be able to reach your maximum potential. This will be our topic at Trinity in all our weekend services. Hope to see you or catch the message after Sunday at www.trinitytoday.com. My next devotional will be after Spring Break but you can follow me on facebook or twitter

Live Inspired,
Carl