Mentors Matter
Mentors Matter
Never underestimate the influence of a trusted mentor. Just because you are well-advised now, just because you are living with wisdom now, that is no guarantee for tomorrow.
We are all susceptible to our sin nature; therefore, we all have the capacity to make ill-advised and unwise decisions. We even have the capacity to make really stupid and sinful mistakes that can lead to devastating consequences for us, our families and our churches.
Sometimes God brings someone into our life that changes us for good. Unfortunately, even good men and great mentors die. What then?
One exceptional mentor was an exceedingly catalytic influence for good! Even though he lived far beyond the typical lifetime, he died. I’m talking about Jehoiada, mentor of King Joash.
“Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.” 2 Chronicles 24:2 NLT
“As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord” 2 Chronicles 24:14
Jehoiada was key to the king’s coronation and kingdom success. He was actually catalytic to the installation of King Joash at the age of seven! In short, Joash was a great leader as long as his great mentor was alive. Unfortunately, when his best mentor died it marked a devastating downturn for the king and his entire kingdom. That’s when the vulnerable king was persuaded by other mentors to return to idolatry. (vv 17-18)
So, who are your wise advisors right now? If you need daily wisdom, where do your turn? As for me, I first turn everyday to God’s Word. I do that without exception. In addition, without exception I also “break bread with the dead” every day! I read from wise advisors such as:
Oswald Chambers
Tim & Kathy Keller
C.S. Lewis
Dallas Willard
In addition to those who have died, I also consult regularly with those who still live! Not surprisingly, my wisest advisor is also my wife for life. She rarely initiates a lot of advise, but she typically provides it readily upon request. And she’s not the only one. Almost daily I ask for wise counsel from one or more of my trusted allies. Rarely am I disappointed. How about you?
Here are some of the markers of those who serve in my cadre of kingdom counselors and mentors.
Long obedience. They’re neither newbies to the Christian life or to leadership. I have documented proof of both their faith and their fruitfulness.
Deep joy. They’re neither naive nor negative. They understand the challenges of our time; however, they have fervent confidence in the One who is promising to redeem all things.
Strong generosity. They’re neither stingy nor calculating. That is, they don’t need a calculator to determine a tithe. They consider investing ten percent of their income in kingdom work to be the beginning and not the ceiling of their generosity.
Proven loyalty. They’re neither hyper-critical nor excessively complimentary of me. They know my limitations and flaws, but they are unceasingly for me. They make it no secret that they want the best for me by faithfully speaking the truth in love to me.
I am surrounded by reliable relational resources. I don’t have just one, I have an abundance of them because I have cultivated them. Furthermore, the Bible repeatedly affirms the importance of a multiplicity of insightful allies. “… there is safety in having many advisors.” (Proverbs 11:14b NLT).
I know I need all the good counsel that I can get and I hope the same is true for you. If you haven’t yet found several wise ones to lean on, begin with just one. That one may even be the one most influential in bringing you to faith or maturing you in the faith.
Sometimes these key contributors are referred to as spiritual fathers or mothers. In my mind, that title is not so much a factor of age but of influence. This paragraph written by the apostle Paul to the young church in Corinth may be worth pondering.
“I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.” Corinthians 4:14-16 NLT
Whether you know it or, whether you want to admit it or not, you are probably imitating someone else. So, who is it?
Who is inspiring you to live more boldly?
Who is challenging you to live more selflessly?
Who is encouraging you to move to the next level of influence?
Who is calling you to press pause and listen to God’s still small voice?
Make no mistake, mentors really matter. Just consider King Joash. His best mentor was catalytic to his kingly success. The others brought him to a kingly collapse! The same could be true for you and for me. Your mentors will help to shape you and your legacy for good and for God, or for the absolute opposite.
Whose words are carrying the most weight for you?
Grace and Peace,
Alan
