The Power of Showing Up

Some parts of the Bible we hear about all the time—like Psalms, Proverbs, or the Gospels. But other books tend to get overlooked. Titus was one of those books for me… until it became personal.

When I was pregnant with my son, my husband stopped me mid-scroll through baby name lists and said, “I already know his name.” We didn’t even know the gender yet. “It’s a boy, and his name will be Titus. God told me that almost a decade ago (before we even met!).” How do you argue with that?

I had to see for myself why God would choose this name for our son. When I opened the book of Titus, I discovered he was a trusted leader in the early Church—a close friend and ministry partner of Paul. The book is short, but it’s packed with practical wisdom like how the church should function and how men and women can live lives that honor God.

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely… . Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. … These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure... . Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. (Titus 2:2, 3, 4, 5 NLT)

Reading that Scripture reminded me of my early days in youth ministry. I was still young myself, yet suddenly I had younger girls looking to me for guidance. I realized quickly that I couldn’t pour into them from an empty cup—I needed older, wiser women to pour into me too.

I began praying for mentors—women who would point me back to Jesus in every conversation—and God answered those prayers. Still, I often felt inadequate. One night at youth group, I remember thinking, Do I really know what I’m talking about? What if I steer them the wrong way?

But then it hit me: I realized they just needed someone to listen, pray, and be there for them.

It wasn’t complicated. It was part of being human.  

It was the way we were designed to live, even thousands of years ago in the time of Titus. We were made to live this life together, in community, pointing one another back to Jesus.

Over a decade later, I still get texts from some of those girls. They’ll ask for advice, prayer, or just someone to talk to. God’s grace filled in the gaps for me then—and it still does today.

Here’s the challenge: if you don’t have a mentor, pray for one. And if you aren’t yet pouring into someone younger, start now. You may feel unqualified, but your willingness to be present is exactly what God can use.

In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:6-7)

~

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.