Doing life alone has a tendency to become very boring, very lonely, and something scary. Here's the great thing: we're not supposed to do life alone. We're called to live life together.
Relationships are a crazy thing. In order to be growing as an individual, there are three types of relationships that we should be actively cultivating. First, we need to be learning for someone more experienced. Second, we need to surround ourselves with people at the same level that we are. Last, we need to be sharing our life with someone who can learn from our experiences. In other words we must be mentoring other people.
If you've been a reader for a while, you might remember that I shared my passion for the mandate of mentoring about a year ago. (You can read more about that here.) Over the past year, if anything, my passion for this has only grown. Let me explain why.
As Christ followers, there are very few of us who have not heard of the Great Commission, but just in case, I'll share it with you again. Before Jesus ascended into heaven the book of Matthew states Christ's last words to His disciples, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit and teaching the to obey everything I have commanded you."
When I hear or read this verse, I often think of missionaries who have given up their lives to take the Good News of Christ's love all over the world. As Christ followers we get beside them. We send them. We finance their endeavors. After all, some will send and some will go. But Christ's message from this verse is really much more than just telling someone of Christ's love. It's more than just saying a prayer. It is a mandate to make disciples--teaching them, instructing them, guiding them, doing life with them. It's what we do to help the ladies in our communities. It's how we raise our sons and daughters. It's the relationship that we foster with older and younger women that enhance our lives. It's making disciples!
And that, ladies, is mentoring.
Mentoring is a commitment of time and energy and talent and even money, but it is so worth it. You will help someone else grow, but you will grow more into the image of Christ too! As a Christ follower, that's what we're all aiming for: to be more like Christ in His love, compassion, holiness, and mercy.
There's a good possibility that as you read this you are ready to take the plunge. You're ready to find a mentor and become a mentoree, but where does a person start with all that?
Most likely we would all agree that a task becomes much easier when we know what we are actually supposed to do. I know my major fear in branching out is a fear of uncertainty. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way.
Today, I want to encourage you to take the plunge. Find that lady in your life who's probably a little older and a lot wiser. Ask her to meet with you once a week or a couple of time a month and then do it. Keep that appointment.
When it comes to finding someone to mentor, there a good chance that she's already in your life watching from a distance. Look for her and then invite her to "hang out" sometime. I hear coffee is always a great way to connect. :)
Below is a guide to ease the intimidation. Print it off and stick it in your Bible. Think of mentoring like making a new friend. Take the plunge and become a mentor and find a mentoree today!
click to download
