You need a mentor

Exodus 18

The Lord is able to give us people who will give us counsel to prosper in whatever He has called us to do. Moses’ father-in-law gave him great insights on what he must do to manage the people of God effectively and he did that and had success.

What does Exodus 18 teach us about mentorship and its effects on our divine calling?

#1. Compassion: Mentors care about your holistic wellbeing. (Exodus 18:1-6)

Jethro was Moses’ former boss who did not only care about his career success but also his family’s success. Hence, he decided to bring his wife and children to him to make him complete. He had come on the mission without them but his father-in-law wishing that he prosper in ministry and family, brought his family to join him. This was a mentor who did not only care about his outside success but also his domestic success. In Titus and Timothy when Paul was given the qualification of a Bishop, he mentioned that he must be a man who has domestic success. He can take care of his wife and children. True mentors care about the holistic success of their mentees.

#2. Celebration: Mentors rejoice at your success. (Exodus 18:7-12)

When Moses reported to Jethro what the Lord had done for Israel, he was so full of praise to the Lord for His wonderful works to His people. He told him about both the good and the bad but God delivered them from it all. He celebrated God and regarded Him as the greatest of all. What we learn here is that true mentors do not envy your success but celebrate what the Lord is doing in your life. They make time to listen to their mentees achievements and successes and celebrate what God has done in their lives.

#3. Consideration: Mentors see what you don’t see. (Exodus 18:13-16)

After everything had wind down, it was business as usual for Moses and the people in their natural setting. Moses was himself in adjudicating legal cases concerning the people. He was doing everything by himself. His father-in-law observed it and took notice of it. Indeed, mentors see what mentees may overlook and consider unimportant. Because of their positional advantage, they see what mentees do not see. They interpret things differently from mentees. Their perspective is different that brings richness to the life of mentees.

#4. Counsel: Mentors instruction is golden. (Exodus 18:17-23)

Jethro concluded that the legal processes Moses was employing was not the best. It will wear him down and break down the mission of God. As the leader of the people, Jethro advised him to work with sub-leaders to take care of most of the legal issues and leave heavy duty ones to Moses. They were to share responsibility. The counsel of mentors is golden. God brought Jethro into Moses’ life to shape his perspective for the journey ahead. God will use people in our lives to help us on the mission He has given to us. No wonder Solomon said we should learn wisdom from everywhere including ants. When we are humble to learn, we will do well in life and succeed in our mission.

#5. Commitment: Mentees must follow through with what mentors teach them. (Exodus 18:24-27)

The last important thing every mentee must learn to pin down in life is to follow through with what they receive from their mentors. Moses received the counsel of His father-in-law and did what he was instructed to do. He did not turn it down and say God will teach him. He recognised that God uses people to help us on the journey. Hence, He displayed committed to what he learnt from the father-in-law and selected faithful people to work with. We must not only be hearers of good advice but also great practitioners. That’s the only way we benefit from the years of experience of other people.

In Isaiah God promised to give divine helpers to His people. Moses benefitted from good counsel that helped his work.

Take Action: Look for wise godly advisors and obey them.