Acts 16:1-5

After all the commotion about circumcision, I thought it was interesting that Paul decided to have Timothy circumcised. At first glance, it almost seems contradictory, but Paul recognized the difference between circumcision as a requirement for salvation and circumcision as a practical step to remove an unnecessary obstacle to the Gospel. He did not want to provoke another controversy over the matter, especially since Timothy was, after all, half Jewish.

This marked the beginning of a remarkable mentoring relationship between Paul and Timothy. Paul would later refer to Timothy as his "true son in the faith," a testament to the deep bond they shared.

Some relationships are forged by God. They are among the sweetest relationships we experience because the connection is not only personal but also spiritual. I like to call them divine appointments because God's purpose is being revealed in both lives. Each person strengthens, sharpens, and encourages the other as they walk together in His calling.

It is amazing to think that, in this day and age, what takes only moments for us took months—and sometimes years—for them. There was no postal service as we know it today, and most of the time you were your own mail carrier. Paul personally delivered the instructions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to the churches he had established during his first missionary journey. Keep in mind that this second missionary journey lasted about three years as Paul traveled approximately 2,700–3,000 miles, primarily on foot. That is some serious dedication!

Paul's example reminds us that ministry is about far more than preaching sermons. It is about investing in people. Jesus made disciples, and Paul made disciples. Timothy became one of the greatest examples of the lasting impact that intentional mentoring can have on future generations.

Who are we mentoring, and who is mentoring us? Ideally, we should have both in our lives. There is wisdom in learning from those who have walked with the Lord longer than we have, and there is joy in pouring what God has taught us into someone coming behind us. In God's kingdom, we are never meant to simply receive—we are also called to reproduce faithful followers of Christ.