You need sherpas
You can learn by making mistakes or gain wisdom by gleaning from other people’s mistakes. The former is more arduous than the latter. The best people from which to gain insight are called mentors.
One of the fundamentals of success I wish I understood earlier in life was the value of obtaining numerous mentors. Like most young people, I had older life guides, but I did not recognize them as such or value them nearly enough. Who are your mentors?
Mentor, is an ancient Greek word taken from the famous poem Odyssey by Homer. When the main character, Odysseus, left home to fight the Trojan War, he placed the elder, Mentor, to oversee his son Telemachus. Mentor was to guide his young protégé in the art of living well. Unfortunately, he wasn’t that great at it! But the name and the principle stuck.
My first mentors were my parents, who modeled and taught me about family, morals, the value of hard work, and my Christian faith. Like most kids, I didn’t view my mom and dad as mentors. At the time, I didn’t even know the word existed. Those of us lucky enough to have solid parents or guardians don’t appreciate their contribution until we have adult responsibilities, and especially children of our own. As they say, “The older I get, the smarter my parents become.”
Two other life tutors were my older sisters, but, as with my parents, I did not view them as such until later in life. And that is my point. The earlier one recognizes and appreciates the role of those who go down the path ahead of us and then offers their “Sherpa” skills to guide us, the better. Who are your mentors?
Another of my earliest guides was my Boy Scout Troop Master, OK Friend. Yes, I spelled the name correctly. Outside of my home, Scouting was the most formative endeavor of my youth. As we called him, K taught me how to motivate and lead volunteers with respect and honor. He also hammered into my hard head a principle I’ve carried through life. As Scouts, we often camped out. At the end of each camping experience, we lined up across the entire campsite and, step by step, “housecleaned” every inch of our footprint. The axiom was simple, “Always leave the site better than it was when you arrived.” That piece of mentoring advice has served me well.
Perhaps my first recognized Sherpa was a youth minister named Jim. After my “Prodigal Journey” of several years, I returned to the faith of my youth, and the person who most demonstrated followership of Jesus and leadership in his Church was an ornery, laughter-filled, basketball-playing youth pastor. Jim clicked with me for some reason, and he recognized potential that I could not see in myself. He took it upon himself to draw that dormant power out of its slumber. He was Yoda and I, his Luke Skywalker. We are still good friends to this day. Who are your mentors?
Jesus set the standard for mentorship through His friendship with the twelve Apostles and a handful of other close followers. The Master demonstrated the fundamental mentoring principle when He called His key disciples.
“13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:13-15 NIV)
Followership of Jesus is mainly caught rather than taught. We “catch” things from people that come into proximity to us. Jesus called these people “to be with Him.” His apprenticeship program for the would-be “little Christs” would never be limited to the classroom. Matthew, James, John, Peter, and the other students would need to observe and then practice the Teacher’s lifestyle to catch the Christianity virus. The Apostles and their little band of close friends became such influential proponents of Jesus Christ because they spent so much time with Him. He literally “rubbed off” on them. Who are your mentors?
The best way to be mentored is to have the opportunity to spend time with the mentor. However, this is not always possible. For instance, we cannot spend personal, physical time with Jesus, but He is still a very effective Sherpa. How is this possible?
Because He is both body and Spirit, we can talk to Jesus any time we want. He also communicates with us in numerous ways. Sometimes the Teacher speaks directly into our mind and spirit, while at other times, He guides us through His Word, or circumstances and experiences. Often the Lord communicates through other followers, especially those a few steps ahead of us on the trail – mentors.
So, do you have mentors who are enlightening your path? Here are some quick suggestions about mentorship.
Seek out mentors to lead you in various areas of life. Mentoring is not just about your career path, though that is important. If you are married, seek marriage mentors. If you are a follower of Jesus, find wise Sherpas to take you up the Everest of spiritual growth. If you want to learn a new skill, scout out a craftsperson. Were you diagnosed with an illness, obtain the wisdom of one who has walked that path.
·Mentoring can happen through books, podcasts, and zoom calls. As I grew in knowledge and understanding of leadership and pastoring, I discovered authors whose written wisdom I received as personal guidance. People like C.S. Lewis, Chuck Swindoll, Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Ken Blanchard, Teresa of Avila, and others shepherded my journey.
Mentors will come and go as the boundaries of life morph and change, but you’ll know someone was a mentor when you recall their example years later. Having wise input from multiple personalities provides balance and perspective. The sage writer of Proverbs explains that success is obtained through the thoughts of numerous counselors.
Be a mentor. Mentoring should be an unbroken chain. You should have one hand reaching up to your mentors and one hand down reaching those coming along behind you.
Another great mentor of Biblical history was the Apostle Paul. Paul was mentored by the famous rabbi Gamaliel. Though he misunderstood the will and purpose of God through Jesus, he understood how followership is transmitted from one generation to the next. Once Paul met Jesus, His new mentor sent him to guide many others. One of those protégés was Timothy. When the aged teacher neared the end of his life, he wrote forceful wisdom and instruction to his son in the faith. Paul’s very personal letter to Timothy reveals a clear view of a mentoring relationship.
“10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, . . .” (2 Timothy 3:10-14 NIV)
I love Paul’s concluding words, “because you know those from whom you learned it.”
Who are your mentors? Do you need to find a Sherpa?
Are you a mentor? Is it time to offer someone the value of your experience?
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
P.S. If you find my articles helpful, please pass them along to your network and repost them on Facebook. I hope to help as many people as possible along their journey. Thanks! www.donmarkhamilton.com
