Over and Under (Part 2)

The Biblical record suggests that Joshua was a man of physical ability, superior intellect, strong character, and military prowess.  In other words, his potential for leading God's people was off the charts.  For that potential to be realized and translated into leadership success...leadership that would bring the people of God into the promises of God, however, would require an impetus.  There was a final ingredient that, when added, would propel Joshua into the position of an effective leader.  It is the same ingredient that we must add to all of our abilities, and all of our training.

Deuteronomy 34:9 says this:
Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

This key ingredient for Joshua was the mentorship of Moses.  Moses provided for Joshua something that only came to him through relationship and impartation...the Spirit of Wisdom.  This is exactly why those of us in leadership should actively pursue a relationship with a mentor over us...because we need their wisdom.  God uses our education, God utilizes our abilities, but our education and abilities are only employed successfully and appropriately to the degree they are deployed with wisdom.

So the reality is, you need a mentor.  In fact, you probably need more than one.  While that sounds like a good idea, two questions have probably already risen to the forefront of your consciousness:
1. Who?
2. How?

Don't let the 'who', and the 'how', of mentoring keep you from such a relationship...it's not as complex as it sounds.

First, the 'who'.
Here's the secret to identifying the mentor(s) the Lord may be putting in your path:  He or she must possess something you need, but don't have.  It may be experience in one or more areas.  It may be a tremendous history of success, or they may have a tremendous failure to their credit.  They may have connections to helpful people, resources, or opportunities.  They may even have a gift that is not really in your arsenal.  Most of all, they will have perspective that you have not yet developed, and the ability to see you and your situation objectively.

Once you understand this secret, look around.  Who has the Lord already placed in your life that could fill this role.  And remember...a mentor doesn't have to be perfect, and they don't have to be an expert in all areas, they just need to be proficient in one.  Joshua didn't need Moses to be a military genius, he needed him to be a spiritual father.

If you don't see a mentor(s) positioned near you, pray about it, and then consider those folks you know and admire from a distance.  Is there someone who's effectiveness you would like to emulate?  If you feel a release from the Lord, pursue them.  Let them know exactly what you're after and see if there is divine favor on the relationship.  If there is, you've found a mentor.

Now, the 'how'.
We find, throughout scripture, that Joshua was continually by Moses' side.  He was present.  To make the most of a mentoring relationship, be in the mentor's presence.  In my church, we run a ministry development program for folks interested in both volunteer and vocational ministry.  One of the major components of this training includes six weeks spent shadowing and assisting each member of our pastoral staff.  They see where we go, what we do, how we respond and minister to people, as well as what kind of situations and decisions we are faced with on a day to day basis.  They are present, and  because they are present, they learn.

Making the most of a mentoring relationship also requires a skill that all have not mastered yet...listening.  If you're doing all the talking, you're not being mentored.  Yes, you need to bring good questions to the table, but then you need to shut up and listen.  In fact, I've learned the most from my mentors when I find a way to get them talking and just sit back and listen.  You will catch not only the specifics of their approach to leadership, but also the spirit of their leadership as they talk...don't minimize this aspect of the relationship, maximize it.

Next week we tackle the idea of how to mentor those under us.  For right now, though, answer these questions:
-Who are my mentors?
-Do they possess something that I do not?
-Am I maximizing these relationships?
-Who is God leading me to pursue as a new mentor?
-What are my action steps to pursue this relationship?

Be excited about being mentored.  As you are mentored, you gain access to wisdom that is above and beyond your own, and your followers reap the rewards.

Happy leading!