Mentors

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Mentors have gotten a bad rap, but I have a different perspective, and this is based on my experience. I hear people say pick one mentor and stick to them, which I can understand, but I've realised the way my life is set up, I have been blessed with different people, both male and female, who have mentored me in different things at different times. I believe God allowed this because of how diverse I am personally and how I truly seek to only do His will. Now let us define the word mentor in plain English: a mentor is an experienced, trusted advisor who guides, supports, and teaches someone with less experience (called a mentee) to help them grow in their career, skills, or personal life.

My older sister, I would say, was my mentor from primary school up until after I graduated university. I cannot think of anyone else I was accountable to in that season. She could do no wrong in my eyes at some point, and as I grew I realised, wow, she is human and also has her flaws, and I adjusted accordingly by extending grace always. Her flaws have never in any way taken away from the depth of love I have for her.

Now, as a beautifully and wonderfully made 36-year-old, I can say for a fact that I have lived different lives in my career, skills, and personal life, and there are different "mentors" that God has put on my path who I am able to call to ask questions and share my thoughts, and at each point I am met with wisdom, advice, and encouragement.

Today, as I write, there are four of them I lean towards for different things. There's one person who basically knows my cycles and patterns even when I do not remember them. She holds me accountable for life and business, she reminds me of the words God has spoken over me, and she nudges me in that direction. I need her, and I love her for who she is.

There's another who just by being in her space resets my brain, lol. I don't ask her questions often, coz she ain't gonna tell you what you wanna hear, so I only ask her when I am truly ready to receive the truth on a matter. I feel like with her, all I ever do is watch her and listen to random conversations we have, because my gosh, I have watched her come out of some crazy situations through prayer. I do not take anything she shares lightly, it's usually either a confirmation for me, or I'll find myself in a similar situation and already know how to handle it. Proximity will do that for you.

The remaining two are men! I like speaking to them, they not only tell me how God sees me, they refer me to the Word. I find it easy to ask them wild questions coz men are men, they answer you one time. I love that when I call to ask a question, it becomes a one to two hour sermon. I usually record these phone calls, coz somewhere in there is usually a prophecy that I will walk into not too long from the day of.

These four people love me like their children. They consistently show up for me, and I also do my best to do my part. I do not try to mistake them for my friends, even though there is a friendship. I do not abuse the access I have to them. I do my best to honour them, it is the only way I can truly receive from God through them.

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

Now, do they all have flaws? Absolutely, and I also have my flaws, yet they tolerate me and never poke at them. So I say this to say, mentors are important to us. It is not about talking to them every day, but having them in your corner and actually following them as they follow Jesus.

To wrap this up, let us ensure that in choosing these mentors, we see that Christ is truly at the centre of their lives and decisions, that they have proof of their fruits.