I view being a mentor as someone assuming the role as a destiny propeller in my life. Propel means to drive, push, or to cause to move. The propeller’s purpose is to provide a method of propulsion to enable forward motion. Propulsion is the action of driving or pushing forward.
Mentors or destiny propellers, provide a methodology to enable the progress of someone or something they have found and been divinely connected.
Wisdom Gem #1 - Understand mentorship is not just a transactional relationship. The relational component is at the core of the value and benefit.
Relational - Being relational means acknowledging the interconnectedness of human nature and the important role that relationships play in our lives.
I find it interesting how God connected Elijah to Elisha. I don't find anywhere in the Bible that states he was already in the school of the prophets. Yet, he was chosen by God to be Elijah's successor. I believe spiritual mentors and destiny propellers are assigned to us by God. Elisha was immensely enriched from his mentor relationship with Elijah. Being mentored is opening yourself up to growth. I also think that you know within, like Elisha, that there is more for you, you just don't know exactly know how to get there. That's where spiritual mentorship and mentorship in general comes in. The development is not quick, but it's transformational.
Wisdom Gem #2 - Recognize and acknowledge the need for mentorship in your life.
Walk with the wise and become wise.
Proverbs 13:20
The mentee has to have an open heart and mind to receive guidance from the mentor. Proverbs teaches us throughout to seek after wisdom and understanding - to open our ear to knowledge.
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,
Proverbs 22: 17 - 19
Wisdom Gem #3 - Apply and utilize the wisdom you gain from your mentor relationships.
I have had the benefit of mentorship in so many spaces in my life. In ministry, I had 3 beautiful mentors who have all passed away in the last 2 years. All of them chose to connect with me, they were given to me by God. In my academic spaces sometimes I sought out the individual because I was drawn to them. Other times the connections happened organically. God always sends me destiny propellers!
One of my most recent mentor relationships was established from a business inquiry and then developed into a relationship. Another relationship that is dear to me began with the person being drawn to me and felt compelled to reach out to connect. By the way, both of these started through social media. It's not the how or where, but rather the Who, who, and why.
Wisdom Gem #4 - If you're trying to get somewhere and need help, the mentor and destiny propeller will show up.
The next logical question I sense you asking yourself is, "How will I know that person is supposed to mentor me?"
Consider these Tips:
They're like minded.
They know more than you do in the space in which you need them.
They are apt to teach, but willing to learn from the mentee as well. It's a reciprocal relationship. Mentorship adds value to both the mentor and the mentee's life.
They may not look like you. I have men and women as mentors. Mentors of different ages, cultures, backgrounds, economic statuses, and lifestyles.
Can you and are you willing to learn, accept advice, critique and grow from this individual?
Wisdom Gem #5 - Respect your mentor! You should have respect, love, and admiration for your mentor.
I can honestly say that I love and have loved every mentor God has placed in my life. I will be honest and share that I have not always liked what they had to say. However, because of the relational aspect of the relationship I knew they had my best interest at heart.
I have mentors that will show up every time I ask or need them. They cheerlead and applaud my efforts. They pray and hope for my success. They do so without asking for anything in return.
I desire to make them proud. I desire to give back to them. I pay it forward and mentor others.
I would like to close this post by revisiting the relationship between Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was a great prophet. Some may say he just needed to train a successor. I believe Elijah wanted to please and obey God. Two things lead me to this thought. It isn't recored that Elisha was from the school of prophets. Elijah found Elisha working in the field. Again, like minded doesn't always look like we think.
Elisha was with Elijah for 5 years as the Prophet's assistant. Before Elijah was taken up in the chariot, he asked Elijah before he departed what could he do for him. Elisha's request was for a double portion of his anointing. Elisha said to him, “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah told him, "Yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” It wasn't only about his legacy, but rather the Will of God.
These accounts can be found in I Kings 19: 19 - 21 and 2 Kings 2.
Wisdom Gem #6 - The mentor-mentee relationship is transactional and transformational.
There's no doubt that much transpired in Elijah and Elisha's relationship. Transactionally speaking a great deal of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding was imparted or in today's language poured into Elisha. Transformationally as Elisha, once a worker in the fields, in the span of five years was elevated when he received the mantle from Elijah and became the prophet over the school of prophets. He was given this responsibility as well as being granted a double portion of Elijah's anointing. WOW! That's full circle mentorship: Elevation and Legacy!
Blessings,
Pamela Cone
Founder & CEO
Curated Spaces, LLC
Author & Journal Curator
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