Relationship Adviceنموونە

The Path to Wisdom

Pastor Craig Groeschel says, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” So, pause for a second and think about this: Do you like the way your future looks? 

What if you are one relationship away from changing your answer? What if you began strategically picking friends that have the future that you want? 

Okay, enough big questions. Let’s talk about mentoring, why it’s important, and how to start that relationship.

When you think about the future you want—your career, family, marriage, relationship with Jesus—can you think of some people who model what you hope to have? 

It’s likely these individuals have worked hard and learned difficult lessons to get where they currently are. Most of the time, if you asked them, they would do anything to share the knowledge they have now with their younger selves.

While they can’t go back in time, they can share their wisdom and experience with you. 

We can all benefit from a mentoring relationship because the Bible promises that those who seek wisdom will find it, and when you walk with the wise, you also will become wise.

If you aren’t sure who you want as a mentor, consider a specific area of your life that you would like to grow in. Then, look around at the people in your life. Who is someone who excels in that area? 

In the New Testament, Paul was a mentor to Timothy. When their paths crossed in Acts 16, their mentoring relationship began. From the beginning of their time together, Paul taught Timothy how to share the gospel, preparing him to one day lead on his own.

As you pursue a mentor, keep in mind that any initial discomfort you feel about asking them is worth the long-term growth you will experience in your faith and your life as a result. 

Pray: Heavenly Father, You are my greatest teacher, and I know that You have placed other people around me as teachers too. I know that Your wisdom is promised to me—I just have to ask. So, help me push through any hesitations t I have in asking someone to mentor me so that I can experience more of Your wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: If you don’t currently have a mentor, think about someone you might ask. It doesn’t have to be a committal relationship. Maybe it starts by just asking them out to coffee with a few questions. If you do have a mentor—whether it was formal or not—reach out to them to say thank you for the ways they’ve impacted your life.