“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations….’” Matthew 28:18–19
When you look back on your journey with Jesus—who you were, who you’ve become, and the winding path in between—the people God used to shape you come into focus. In seasons when your faith felt steady and rooted, the presence of someone who listened, prayed, and walked alongside you is often found. In seasons that felt shaky or lonely, maybe guidance or presence was missing.
Mentorship is one of the Spirit’s tools of formation, where God uses others in our life to nurture faith and discernment. In the retrospective of your life, you can’t help but feel gratitude for that faithful someone who modeled abiding with Christ, helped you recognize His voice, or simply stayed near when your questions were many. Or perhaps you still hold a longing for the mentor you needed but never had.
Jesus meets us with compassion in both places. He does not rush us past what was lacking, nor does He leave us there. As we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit works patiently, bringing our unmet needs into the light and turning them into holy awareness. Sometimes the Spirit’s quiet prompting invites us not only to receive care, but to respond in kind, offering to others what we once needed ourselves.
Take a moment to reflect on your own story. What kind of presence would have steadied your faith in an earlier season? Someone attentive. Someone prayerful. Someone willing to walk at your pace. Then ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone in your life who might be waiting for that same presence: a woman longing to be seen, a younger believer learning to listen for God’s voice, a friend who needs companionship more than counsel.
This invitation is not about filling a gap you think God overlooked. It is about surrender. As we remain close to Jesus, the Spirit leads us naturally into a life defined by love, availability, and faithfulness. We give from what we have received, trusting God to care for our own needs in His time and His way.
What once felt like absence can become a place of compassion. As you abide in Christ and stay attentive to the Spirit’s nudges, allow Him to guide you into relationships marked by grace. In His kindness, He may invite you to be who you once needed.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, quiet my heart so I can listen for Your voice. Help me abide in Jesus and notice Your gentle promptings. Heal what was missing, redeem what feels tender, and lead me toward the people You are drawing near. I surrender my time, my heart, and my willingness to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want more?
Read John 15:4–5. What does Jesus promise to those who abide in Him? How does fruitfulness flow from remaining, not striving? Read John 13:1–17. What do you notice about Jesus’ attentiveness to His disciples? Where might the Spirit be inviting you to listen, remain, or respond with love?
