“If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” Exodus 18:23 NLT
In the early years of my career, I enjoyed the benefits of mentorship. It helped me earn more, build a better network, and eventually grow my skills.
However, as I grew, identifying good coaches and mentors became problematic because it felt like no one was going on my path. Years passed, and I realised the negative effect of doing it alone.
Once I reached a crossroads and felt helpless, I cried for help again, and God showed up, placing me in a community and eventually pairing me with a coach who set me right.
Jethro was the mentor Moses needed on his leadership journey. Though his presence in the wilderness was brief, it gave Moses focus.
But I particularly like that Jethro didn’t take pride in the advice he gave Moses. He placed his wisdom under subjection to God’s will, telling Moses “to only follow his advice if God wants him to.”
That’s humility and wisdom in action.
How can we leverage mentorship to do God’s work?
Every time we receive advice, we must filter it through God’s direct instructions. This is because advice is good, but only some are good for us.
We’re on different journeys; sometimes, mentors advise us based on their own experiences and paths. It’s always left to the receiver to decide what to implement and ignore.
But Godly mentors understand that everything is subject to God’s unique instruction to us. Sometimes, they can discern this and tailor their advice to suit the occasion.
We must never lose sight of what God has called us to do. With the multitude of advice out there, the onus is on us to ensure we don’t get derailed by good advice that’s not for us.
When we take every advice to God in prayer, we will receive the wisdom needed to implement such advice in a way that pleases God and serves others.
“I am guided by God’s instructions to me.”
Do you have any experience of going off-path? How have you intentionally stayed guided by God’s instructions?
Ultimately, we all desire to do God’s work the way He wants it done. God sends mentors, and so does the devil. When we identify those who are God-sent, we preserve our lives from wasted years and mindless efforts. May our decisions always be guided.
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