Galatians chapter 1 verses 15-18 (NIV)
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.
As a young Christian I benefitted greatly from the support and mentoring given by Christians who were further along in their faith journey. But there comes a time when God wants us to rely wholly on him.
Paul learned this quicker than most but when we consider that he was already well versed and taught in the Scriptures, and perhaps because of his particular calling.
Most people would have expected him to make contact with the other apostles. That was not to happen for three years.
We too need to be led by the Spirit Himself. There may well be times when it is right to take counsel from others, but it’s good to be sensitive to when to take direction straight from the Lord. After all, we might find ourselves at some point in a situation where we don’t have access to advice from people we trust, and we will thankfully always have direct access to the Lord at anytime, day or night.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for that assurance that we can have direction and teaching from You whenever we need it. But I also give You thanks for the mentoring and support I have had from wiser, older Christians in the past. Help me also to encourage younger and newer Christians when it is appropriate to do so. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.