OK. So we’ve tackled what I consider the worst aspect of mentoring, and now we can move on to some of the good stuff! In today’s entry, we’ll discuss why it’s so important to your success, and I’m sure we’ll have a word or two from our sponsor as well. (Jesus is our Sponsor, so there will definitely be some input from Him.)
First of all, why mentor? I listed a few reasons in my last blog, but there are plenty of others I can add to that list. Probably the most important reason is that it’s the only way to increase time. There are only 24 hours in a day, and only so much one person can accomplish in those 24 hours. However, by taking someone under your wing, and teaching him or her to duplicate your efforts, you can effectively multiply your productivity, thus multiplying your time!
This principle is outlined in the gospels. Jesus mentored His disciples, and then sent them out to “make disciples of all nations, and [teach] them to obey everything [He] commanded” (Matt. 28:19-20). Jesus Himself did not go into all the world. In His human form, this would have been physically impossible, and we know from a number of examples that He honored His human limitations (see Matt. 4:2). Nor could His disciples have gone into all the world by themselves! They needed to duplicate their efforts as well. Two thousand years later, we’re still trying to get into all the world! Even Paul—who pretty effectively evangelized most of the civilized world—only managed to visit only one small geographic area around the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition, mentoring is good stewardship. God expects us to use our time, talent, & treasure for the good of His kingdom, and His kingdom is built on the foundation of love. When you take someone under your wing, and truly pour yourself into that person, you are effectively loving that person. Just like Jesus, you should eventually reach a point where you can say, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from the Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).
Keep in mind what Jesus was willing to do for His friends. At the last supper, He washed their feet. In those days, foot-washing was reserved for the lowest servant in the household because people’s feet stunk! No respectable person would even consider humiliating himself like Jesus did that night. Then He told them, “love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). And we all know what He did next…He laid down His life for them.
To be a truly great leader and mentor, you must have the same level of commitment. You must be willing to pour all of yourself into your protégés, loving them as Jesus loved His disciples—washing their feet as an example for them to follow, and dying for them if necessary. This is what it takes to truly impact people’s lives, and if they’re unsaved, to help show them what Christianity is really all about!
If you maintain this mentality in regard to your protégés, you will be successful in all your endeavors!
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