Was there a turning point in your life? Was there someone who provided you the right encouragement at the right time that changed your path for the better? Was that person a family member, a mentor, or a teacher? Have you continued to ride the success instigated by them?
The right encouragement at the right time can change the direction of a person. That encouragement can come from a family member, a mentor, or a teacher. We may have had someone like that in our lives. We can be a special encourager for someone else.
Moses was the special encourager to Joshua. Not only did Moses encourage Joshua but he laid his hands on Joshua and blessed him. Because Moses took Joshua under his wing, Joshua became the next leader of the Israelites. Moses had chosen Joshua to be his assistant. He had gone up Mount Sinai. He had been one of the spies to scout out the land of Canaan. Joshua had witnessed Moses’ struggles with leading the Israelites who desired creature comforts over obeying God. Throughout the forty years of wandering the dessert, Joshua learned to lead the nation. Before Moses died, he laid his hands on Joshua and gave him a special blessing.
We have opportunities to be a mentor to others. It may be our children or grandchildren. It may be someone within the church. There are many young people who need to steady guidance of an experienced person to teach them lessons we have learned through failure and overcoming challenges. As we mentor them, we must not forget to bless them. The impact of giving them a special blessing cannot be underestimated. That blessing can be the difference between giving up and the determination to continue their mission. May we be an encourager of a Joshua.
I pray we all choose to use our experience and wisdom to encourage others. I pray we take someone under our wing. I pray each one of us will pass along wisdom by being a mentor. Use your experience. Pass along wisdom. Be an encourager. Be a mentor. Lift up another Joshua.
Deuteronomy 34:9 Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him, and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses.
