For many years I did a lot of questioning and doubting whether or not Dave made a difference, or could make a difference in someone else’s life. I always knew it was important to have a mentor in your life but I wondered if I would ever have what it took to be a mentor. Not that I even desired to be a mentor; quite frankly, I felt inadequate.

A few years ago, when my friend asked me to return to a conference for Christian athletes that I had attended during my playing days, and then asked me to consider being on the ministry’s board of directors, a few questions came up in my mind and hit me pretty hard.

Why should I go? Why should I be a part of the board?  What do I have to offer?  I couldn’t imagine why anyone, especially young players, would want me hanging around. The last thing I wanted was to look like the retired old leach.

This past year I was invited to a UPI Conference, a baseball ministry that disciples current and retired baseball players.  Prior to the conference I prayed, “God, I don’t know what you have in store for me at this conference, I don’t even know why I’m going, but I want to be open to whatever the reason is that you are bringing me here.”

When I arrived at the conference and saw all the young players connecting with each other I was again hit with the question, “What’s my purpose in all of this?”

The first night I sat down at a table in the back next to my friend. Soon after, two other older guys sat down at our table and I realized we were all in our sixties. Then a few minutes later two young men came in and also sat down at our table. Throughout the course of the conference we were talking and getting to know each other and then it hit me. I sat there amazed as I realized that God had me at the perfect table. These young twenty-somethings started asking us questions about life, marriage, and healthy relationships. One was about to get married in two weeks and the other wasn’t sure whether he should continue the relationship he was in. By the grace of God, we older guys were able to speak truth and advice into the lives of these two young men in hopes that it would encourage them.

At the end of the weekend I was floored by a new realization: Because my life experiences consisted of the good, the bad and the ugly over so many years, I had something to offer. I could offer the wisdom and encouragement that I had received from others through my life experiences.

For all of us who are followers of Christ, God calls us to offer our lives, not only to Him, but also to others around us. It’s a humbling and honoring thing to give back to others in this way. I know that I haven’t had the easiest of journeys and yet God’s faithfulness has been so evident in my life as I continue to experience his grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and compassion. God understands my story better than I do and He knows how to use my life to encourage others. I just need to trust that.

Like me, you may not always feel adequate to encourage others, but Christ makes you more than adequate. We all need encouragement and affirmation from others. I asked God to show me His purpose for me that weekend and He did. I pray that somewhere along your journey you too will realize that you have something priceless to offer.

“All praise to the God and Father our Master, Jesus the Messiah!  Father of all mercy!  God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” —2 Corinthians 1:3-4   (The Message)

—Dave Dravecky

Dave Dravecky is a regular contributor to The Increase and will be providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Dave’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/davedravecky/  

      
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