The Art of Leadership
A mentor is an advisor, a guide, a counsellor, a teacher, and a tutor to you. Your mentor is a picture of your future. One of the ways to predict the future is to simply look at someone’s mentor. A person’s mentor points to where that person wishes to get to.
When the disciples of John found out that Jesus was the Lamb of God, they decided to follow Him. They chose Jesus Christ over John the Baptist because they recognized a greater and higher anointing.
The future of these disciples changed in the day that they chose Jesus to be their mentor.
You could predict the future of Joshua by looking at Moses, his mentor. Elisha’s future could be predicted by looking at Elijah. In the same way, you could tell what would become of Peter, James and John by looking at Jesus.
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
John 1:35-37
Lessons about Mentoring
- You must know that not every successful person can be your mentor.
Not everyone in the world can be your mentor. Not every successful person can be your mentor. God has chosen certain people to mentor you. Accept this reality and choose to be mentored by a person who God has specially anointed for you.
- You must know that you can be mentored from afar.
Someone who does not even know you can mentor you. Most of the mentors I have do not know me personally. They have mentored me through their books and tapes.
Physical proximity is not a prerequisite for mentorship. You can be mentored from afar! Do not reject a mentor just because he is not physically close to you. You can and should learn how to be close to a mentor who is not close to you physically.
- You must know that your future can be predicted by looking at your mentor.
You could predict the future of Peter, James and John by looking at their mentor, Jesus. It goes without saying then, that your mentor must be someone whose life you would want your future to resemble. He must be someone who has accomplished what you hope to accomplish in life.
- You must know that you can be mentored to a greater or lesser extent depending on how close you become to your mentor.
Jesus did not affect everyone in the same way. He had five hundred people whom he appeared to after he rose from the dead. He had one hundred and twenty people who waited for the Holy Ghost in the upper room. And he had twelve disciples who followed him everywhere. He also had a whole lot of women who ministered to him
of their substance.
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Luke 8:1-3
Then he had Mary, his mother, and Mary Magdalene who stood by the cross during his last moments on earth. He had the inner core made out of Peter, James and John.
Then he had Peter who was the head of his team. He also had John whom he loved specially. Decide to be close to your mentor and allow him to influence your life!
- You must know that your mentor is a human being.
Your mentor is a human being. He will have limitations and weaknesses. Do not despise your mentor because of his weaknesses. Learn what you can from him. Pick the good things and leave the bad ones. When you are served with a meal, and you do not like something on the plate, you eat what you like and leave the rest!
Dear Leader, you can hardly ever get all the training you need for your life from your physical parents or close family alone. God always sends people to fill in the gaps in your life. You must note that it takes humility to accept and receive mentors. Look for someone who has achieved more than you and learn from the person. “And
without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better” (Hebrews 7:7). It is definitely a blessing to be mentored. I see you moving to another level as you accept a mentor today!
theaol@ymail.com
By Dag Heward-Mills