It is impossible to live a life unaffected by other people. It’s true we all yearn for the affirmation we feel will underscore our value as an individual.
Even though we feel we are independent thinkers, the reality is that we are heavily influenced by the people we hang with. But having the right voice in your life is a complete game changer!
Randy MacFarland of Denver Seminary says, “When we consider the fragmentation of the family, the speed of change demanding the constant learning of new skills and our mobile society separating extended family members, the need for mentoring increases.”
Mentorship is a basic biblical principle. Proverbs opens with an exhortation to listen to the words of the wise. The choices of voices you allow in your life have a make-or-break factor that makes darkness nervous—or confident.
Mentorship is a “relational experience through which one person empowers another by sharing their wisdom and resources.” In 1 Kings 12, Rehoboam inherits the throne from his father, Solomon, but not his wisdom.
When given the choice of voice, he would inaugurate his reign by rejecting the mentorship of the wise elders in favor of the young men who grew up with him. The consequences of not having a good mentor and listening to the wrong voices was disastrous to his destiny. He chose the sexy (trendy) advice over the seasoned voices. What should Rehoboam have looked for in a mentor?
In our latest episode of Keep It 100 w/ Sean and Christa Smith, Mentoring, Community and Having the Right Voice in Your Life, we have the conversation and cover crucial nonnegotiables to have in a mentor. One compelling characteristic is that a mentor needs to be more of a spiritual coach than an emotional cheerleader. They need to love you enough to speak inconvenient truths in your life and not just ear tickling opinions.
A real mentor will push you beyond your comfort zone. So don’t settle for the sexy, but go for the seasoned—after all, they have survived throughout the seasons, and that’s what will get you through yours! {eoa}
Connect with Sean and Christa Smith at seanandchristasmith.com or at Facebook: @seanandchristasmithministries and on Instagram @revseansmith @mrschristasmith.
Curt Landry 
Michael L. Brown 
Rabbi Eric Tokajer