On Being a Mentor and a Mentee

We all have so much more to learn about God, worship, and simply being people of faith.  We are surrounded by people older, wiser and more faithful than we are.  We need to pay attention to them, to learn from them.  

Each of us, however, is also surrounded by people who could benefit from our experiences, wisdom and faith.  I have often wanted to mentor others and as a high school teacher that opportunity presents itself often.  I appreciate every opportunity to help those around me grow.  Unfortunately, the public school is not a place I can scream Jesus' name from the rooftops.  Instead, I try to model Christ's behavior and wait for someone to ask, "How can you stay so calm?" and "Why don't you get mad?" 

For a few years now, I have asked my middle-aged self, "Are you a mentor or a mentee?"  I wonder when the shift from mentee to mentor occurs.  Is it a certain age?  A certain milestone in my Christian walk?  Is it after I memorize a certain number of Bible verses?

This week, while vacationing at Gitche Gumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, Michigan, I have found the answer.  We never transition from mentee to mentor.  If we are walking the walk, following the path Christ set out for us, then we are firmly entrenched in both roles.

True disciples of Christ understand they have never arrived; they never reach a point when they have nothing left to learn.  They also understand, however, that part of the mission is to bring others to Christ -- that's being a mentor.  

Upon reflection, I realized I have two mentors from my church.  I won't name them publicly.  You'd want them as mentors, and then I would have to share.  I , rather selfishly, want them all to myself.  These women are mentors, friends, women in Christ.  They probably don't even know I have appointed them to the position of Jen's Mentors.  Each teaches me different things about being a woman of Christ.  Both teach me about being a Christian wife and mother.

I don't have it "easy" by the American definition of life.  Our family budget is tight.  Kids want things.  For that matter, I want things.  We don't go on cruises, or out for weekly steak dinners.  We don't drive new, fancy cars.  We have what we need.  I have peace.   I am the parent of two teenagers. I do not have quiet, but I do have peace -- in Christ.

I grew up in a Presbyterian church and for my entire childhood and teen years I listened to the same pastor close every service with this as his benediction: "May the peace that passes all understanding be in abide with you this day and forever more."  It's only been recently that I truly understand that level of peace.  It is truly a wonderful feeling.  

This benediction is based on a letter to the church at Philippi, in which Paul wrote, "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NASB) It is a peace we cannot describe. I have this peace because I understand and usually ackniwledge that I am not in control.  God is.  To say my life is less than perfect would be to call Him a failure.  I am not in the habit of calling the God of the universe a failure.  I get mad sometimes; I've been on my knees screaming at Him at times.  I am brutally honest with God.  I might as well be.  He knows my heart anyway.  

God knows I want to share my peace with other women so they, too, can understand it.  I sleep at night.  I mean really sleep.  Not with noises and jerky movements like a baby, but like a teenager who stayed up too late and appears still comatose at the crack of noon.  Every night I give my troubles, worries (and thanks) to God.  I don't reach out and take them back.  I talk to God and give him my cares.  I sleep.

If I were your mentor, I would tell you to give your troubles to God.  We can do nothing for ourselves, but through Him all things are possible. Thank Him for your blessings.  Thank Him for your mentors, even if they don't realize they are mentors.  Ask Him how to be a mentor.  Share your experiences, wisdom and faith walk.  Share your experiences, wisdom and faith walk. Share by example. Answer questions with transparency.  Walk the walk. Mentor.

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives his disciples their mission.  We know it as the Great Commission: 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (NIV)

How can we teach them if we don't develop relationships? How can we teach those we don't interact with?  Be a mentor.  Teach others about Christ and the ultimate sacrifice he gave for us.