Hartebeespoort Dam is not far from where we live. On the one side of the dam wall is a placid reservoir with stunning houses perched on its shores, and all sorts of boats traversing its waters. On the other side is a steep, rocky slope and a riverbed hewn from the rocks. Some weekends we take a trip to the reservoir in order to drive across the dam wall. Cars are sometimes backed up for kilometers waiting for their chance to cross the wall in hopes that the flood gates are open. It is a quite a sight to see the water bursting forth in a magnificent, gushing stream, over the rocks and down the hill.
Daleen and I desire for our lives to flow out of us in much the same way. We want our lives to burst forth from the overflow of our “inner reservoir,” not to dribble forth like cream into coffee. One of our greatest joys is to pour ourselves into others. We love to be agents of healing, helping others to see who they are in Christ and who He has created them to be.
Upon our return to South Africa last month, Daleen and I found ourselves immediately easing into the roles of mentor or “soul friend” with many of those who live around us. We have the privilege of pouring our lives into people who live in our suburb, young leaders, local church leaders, former apprentices and co-workers. Some of these relationships take place over a cup of coffee while others take place in a more formal setting.
to flow: to pour forth
One of my long-term mentoring relationships is with Christo, a 46-year-old mechanic. Christo has been servicing cars for NieuCommunities for the past six years. When I met him, he was a “young” Christ-follower, who was hungry to grow. Although Christo and his wife, Petro, ran their own business, their passion was to bless others through their business by giving of their time, energy and money.
Three years ago, I began meeting weekly with Christo on Friday mornings. By this time, his family had already become a permanent fixture at our Sunday afternoon barbecue and worship time. The highlight of our times together is the ease at which we share our hearts, and how we encourage each other through our challenges. As we've met over the past three years, it has been a delight to hear of his inner transformation, as well as his continuing desire to work more closely with CRM.
During the course of last year, I got Christo and Petro connected with Enterprise International. The result is Christo's Cars, which buys slightly damaged or repossessed cars, fixes them and sells them at a good price. Enterprise International is a division of CRM that mobilizes business people who are compelled to serve the Kingdom by developing and managing businesses that fund ministries (for more information go to www.enterpriseinternational.org).
I have enjoyed seeing both Christo and Petro come alive as they identify their gifting, find their niche and live more “on mission.” My hope is that they will make a success of Christo's Cars and continue this kind of work far into the future. It is a pleasure to walk with others as they get a tighter sense of God's calling on their lives, and begin to live out of their true selves.
