Should I have a MENTOR? Or be one?

What experiences have you had with mentors or being a mentor?

According to merriam-webster.com ; a Mentor is a trusted counselor or guide.

And according to dictionary.com; a Mentor is a wise and trusted counselor or Teacher.

It's so encouraging to know that we weren't created to be alone. We were created to be relational.

We see throughout scripture many examples of mentoring.

Biblical mentoring involves showing people how to live according to the Word of God.

Jesus mentored the twelve, and modeled what it looks like to love the Father and others.

He modeled the great commission. What a true disciple should be.

As Christians, we need people to pour into us, and we also must pour into others.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV) says; "Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor." We need each other.

We were never intended to be alone.

To accomplish all that God is calling us to - we need each other.

There are godly experiences and maturity levels in the Lord in others, that have produced wisdom and discernment which can help guide and even catapult us to our next in the Lord.

These are the kind of mentors we need. And the kind of mentors we should be.

There is a continuous work that God desires to do in us and part of this process involves having godly Mentors who we can be accountable to. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) says; "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

God is committed to continue working in us as we remain in a posture of surrender and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. In God's order, He established the body of Christ so that as iron sharpens iron - we can become sharpened into the tools we are meant to become in God's hands. Remember we were never meant to live out our faith alone.

To accomplish all that God is calling us to - we need each other.

A cousin years ago told me how God was teaching her that in certain seasons in our walk with God- there are specific people who God assigns to us, and vise versa, to obtain the growth needed in that season. I truly believe this and have seen this in my life.

Throughout our Christian lives, or lives in general, we've all had 'that one person' who truly impacted our life. Maybe it was your freshman year in High School Teacher, or your Kindergarten Teacher, or a parent who invested day in and day out into your life. A Pastor, or Teacher at church that took the time to pour into you.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1; "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

A godly Mentor seeks to live a pure life that models after Christ.

Let's break this down and see what being a godly Mentor look like;

Godly Mentors should be;

-Authentic and Transparent Role Models

who seek to live a pure life that models after Christ.

-Encouragers.

-Intentional.

-Humble.

-Students of God's Word who live out the gospel.

Godly Mentors are those who live their Christian lives with a humble and pure authenticity, and transparency which is a result of their intentional time spent in God's presence and in His Word.

Each moment they pour into their mentee they encourage and exhort them to do the same.

Authentic Mentors model what true Christianity looks like even in their worst of days.

Come back on Wednesday and Friday for part two and part three of this blog post where I will be sharing my past and present testimonies of Mentors who have impacted my life.

Your friend in Christ,

Ruthy Villanueva