There is a lot of talk lately about “mentoring”. The concept of mentoring isn’t actually found in scripture though. However, being a disciple, discipling and discipleship is. Being a disciple is simply being a “follower”, a “learner”. In ancient times scholars would gather around themselves groups of people who were their “disciples” – learners and followers.
I believe in the concept of mentoring in the sense that there are people who have, or have had, a significant influence in my life and have helped make me who I am. I am not their “disciple”, I am a disciple of Jesus, but they have played a significant role in my life. Conversely, I hope that there are some people whose lives I have contributed to in a way that has impacted who they are and how they live. I am very grateful for the men who have mentored me – sometimes with them not even knowing it.
Three men have had very significant influence in my life and have been used by God to change who I am. My brother I have a very close relationship with, but with the other two men I do not. They may know who I am, but I don’t even know if they would take my call if I phoned them. However, the Lord has used them greatly to influence who I am as a man. They have mentored me from afar.
We often hear about a shortage of mentors in the body of Christ. How men cannot really find mentors to provide input into their lives. That may very well be the case, but I want to balance that perspective a bit. I think the key to being mentored is a true hunger and thirst in the heart of the “Mentee”. If you are a true “learner” you can be mentored by people that you may not really know well. Sure, we would all love to be approached by a wise, all-knowing, Godly Gandolf who has nothing but time on his hands to pour into our hearts and mentor/father/disciple us in all areas of life. But the reality is, that really isn’t a reality.
However, if you are truly hungry, if you are truly thirsty, if you are truly a learner and seek out wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment, there are men around by whom you can be mentored – and that you may have the pleasure of actually meeting one day. The key to being mentored is to be a “mentee”. The key to being discipled is to be a disciple. The key to being fathered is to be a son. The key to being fed is to be hungry. The key to drinking in life is to be thirsty.
I personally feel very uncomfortable around men who are actively seeking out other men they can mentor. That can certainly be my own baggage, but to me it can very easily become about the mentor and him feeling significant and important. I think the best kind of mentor is a reluctant mentor – one who isn’t looking for followers, but is willing to pour his heart into hungry, thirsty men who approach him wanting to learn.
To me a mentor is someone who is walking with Jesus in the glory God has given him, giving it away to others, and if some people press in for more input he, as best he knows how, gives away what God has given him. He is not looking for followers, but freely gives away what God has given him.
The key to being mentored is to choose to be a learner. Choose to seek out input and gather wisdom from men around you. When you find a man whose life message resonates with you, keep pressing in and drinking in what the Lord is pouring out through his life. If you are hungry and thirsty to grow, the Lord will bring people into your life who will be divine ushers for you into more of God’s heart in you and through you.
The key to being mentored is to be a mentee. Stay thirsty my friends.
Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Romans 8:1-36
“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; …beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it… I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me…For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you declares the Lord.”