This week I have been thinking, therefore writing, about
experience. Experience is essential in life and that experience allows for us
to develop knowledge and wisdom. If we do experience anything and gain
knowledge and wisdom through it, then we must teach and share it with others. This
is why I feel it necessary to address the importance of mentoring in today’s
post.
Mentoring is necessary for the growth of individuals,
families, the Church, and communities. Without walking through life with either
an individual or group, we miss out on an important aspect of gaining
experience. God gives us experiences in life for the very purpose of passing
what we learn on.
We all must (I know this is bold, but when you think about
it, we have all been a mentor in some way), however some of us have doubts of
the importance of mentoring. I am listing the top 3 reasons as to why mentoring
is valuable to us, but also to those who are the mentees:
1) Jesus told us to do it!- In the great
commission given by Jesus at the end of Matthew 28 we see the words “Go…make
disciples…teaching them…” We have learned about the glory of God and the good
news of Jesus and it would be irresponsible of us to hold on to that knowledge
without sharing it. However, we must also be teachers and guiding others in the
right way to live in the world as followers of Christ.
2) Personal Development- As the quote
above from Mr. Collins states, we become learners when we teach others. While
we mentor individuals or groups we learn amazing things about ourselves in the
process. We learn about what upsets us, what inspires us, and what brings us
energy. It allows for us to develop new skills too. We may not be confident
enough to make new friends or feel qualified enough to influence another
individual. While mentoring we develop the skills necessary to be qualified.
You will never know what influence you will have until you take the necessary
steps to get involved in the life of another.
3) Growth- Think about what happened to
the disciples when Jesus asked them to follow Him. They were a hodgepodge of
individuals that He took under His wing as their rabbi. They weren’t special
individuals in society; in fact, for the most part they were individuals that
had zero value at all. While they were with Jesus they discovered the
relationship God wanted with His creation. They learned how to love and bring
peace to those who needed it. They discovered a whole new reality and purpose
as they walked with the Savior of the world. They grew into influential members
of society.
As you become a mentor and an individual or
group is guided by your leadership, they are redefined. You have the ability to
give them a new understanding of their potential. You can give them an
opportunity to serve, to experience what you have experienced, and you can
watch them grow in the process. Being a mentor is essential for communities to
flourish and churches to grow.
Question: Are you a mentor? If so, how? If
not, what has kept you from it? How can the Church benefit from more mentors?
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