| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “The influence of a mentor” Our Bible verse for today: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and don’t do the things that I say?” Luke 6:46 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Mentors are only helpful if you learn from them” In Luke 6:46 Jesus asked a group of followers why they called Him their Lord but then didn’t actually accept and practice much of what He taught them. Words are cheap. Actions matter. Calling Him ‘Lord’ but then not doing what He said was rather meaningless and certainly not helpful to them. The same applies to what we learn from a mentor. Calling the person a mentor and seeking their advice is an important first step. But the relationship is only helpful in actual practice if you do the things your mentor has suggested. Yesterday we considered the case of Saul and his mentor Samuel. What if Saul had done the things that Samuel said? Would his life have turned out different and better? Yes, I’m sure it would have. What if Lot had learned from Abraham? He probably would not have been living in a place like Sodom and maybe his wife wouldn’t have ended up as a pillar of salt. What if Judas had truly followed Jesus? What if I had been more attentive to some of the wise advice I’ve received from my mentors over the years? And you can ask the same question of yourself. The Bible is filled with examples of mentees who didn’t follow the advice and teaching of their mentors, and who paid a terrible price for it. I have a friend who has spent decades working with the homeless population. He runs a rescue mission which also offers transition services designed to help the homeless person get back on their feet with a job and housing. My friend has been doing this for a long, long time and he knows what he’s doing. He is able to lead a person step-by-step through the process of professing faith in Christ, becoming a disciple, learning new life-skills, getting off of drugs or alcohol, improving personal hygiene, applying for a job, getting an apartment, learning basic financial skills, and then walking it out over the long-term. He knows what he’s doing. Those who accept his good counsel and guidance, and actually do the things he teaches them to do, end up with a fresh start in life. And, there are success stories. Many of them. But sadly, there are also many examples of those who disregarded my friend’s advice, tried to do it their own way, and are back on the streets today. Mentors are only helpful if you learn from them and actually do what they say. I encourage you to spend some time today thanking God for your mentor(s) and then, consider how often and how well you actually follow their advice. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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