Finding Mentors

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” This is a phrase I often use with my kids. Not because I heard it from some wise philosopher, but because I’ve personally experienced its truth. Throughout my experiences, I’ve found that I can either walk God’s path alongside friends who will empower my success, or I can allow the company of the wrong crowd to distract me from my destiny. The same is true for all of us.

Where has God called you to in life? Does it seem too far away? Let me encourage you–don’t give up! God won’t leave you in the dark. If He has called you, He’ll lead you, as long as you stay open to His methods for guiding you into your destiny.

One of these methods is through relationships with mentors. Mentors are people we pattern our lives after. They recognize our blind spots and help us stay on track. They’ve been down the roads we’re travelling and can help us navigate our journey. If we’ll get more of what they have on the inside of us, God will bless us in the same powerful ways.

Hebrews 13:7-8 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” In other words, if we’ll strive to learn from these mentors, God will bless us just like He blessed them because He’s no respecter of persons.

We find a great example of this in the life of Elisha in 2 Kings 2. Elisha’s mentor was Elijah, one of Israel’s greatest prophets. Every day, he strived to adopt Elijah’s same attitudes and principles because he wanted a life like his mentor’s— one blessed and filled with God’s favor. In fact, he had hopes for even greater blessing.

When Elijah reached the end of his life, he asked Elisha, “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha replied, “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.” Now, if you know anything about Elijah, you know that was a pretty big request! But Elijah responded, “You have asked a difficult thing–yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours…” And it was.

Elisha went on to perform twice as many miracles as Elijah had. He lived under the incredible favor of God because he developed a hunger to pursue God’s path for success and acted upon it.

Who are you learning from? Do you have mentors in your life? If not, I encourage you to find some. Discovering your God-ordained connections will save you a lot of trouble along the way. Once you find your mentors, be honoring of them. Don’t just listen to what they have to say but act upon it. You don’t have to navigate life alone. Discover your God-connections!