Whom might you identify for a mentorship role? Have you thought your mentor had to be a living person? Life’s circumstances don’t always allow a mentor to be alive. A recent survey discovered people having AI be their close friend. AI isn’t moody or critical, or nagging—only affirming. I suspect that might be the most attractive part of having AI as your mentor. But there is one serious glitch. AI doesn’t hear the voice of God. AI then cannot offer sufficient mentorship when it’s most needed.
I’m uncertain why, but I have struggled to find a mentor whom I can discuss life’s snarly issues or who can guide me when I’m spiritually or emotionally blind. While serving in occupational ministry, I asked my superintendent if he would serve me as a spiritual coach, and he sort of laughed at me! Eventually, I developed a bonding relationship with a colleague. I so appreciated it when he offered Spirit-led counsel when I journeyed through one of my most daunting experiences. I could also walk with him through his wife’s death. He then had a dramatic health issue that totally isolated him. Ultimately, he died, which grieved me greatly.
I shared that only to share this. Many people feel they lack a mentor or soulmate. Seeking mentorship is common; however, such connections sometimes cannot develop.
Perhaps God meant it to be this way for me because I found the Holy Spirit used Bible characters to be great mentors for me. As I read scripture, I emotionally and mentally entered whatever circumstance occurred. I can recall a time when my life took an unexpected turn. I clearly recall feeling a strong emotional connection with Moses, particularly as he navigated the shift from being the spiritual leader of the Hebrews during the early days of the tabernacle. Following God’s blueprints, he guided the populace in building the tabernacle; however, his brother Aaron went on to minister as High Priest, leading sacrificial rites and accessing the Holy of Holies. Suddenly Moses found himself on the outside looking in. Moses’ most dynamic experiences had occurred during his earlier visits to the Tent of Meeting.
Another sacred moment I identified with Moses was when he became so frustrated with the constant murmuring Hebrews. He finally ‘lost it’ and struck the rock instead of speaking to it. He must have felt crushed afterwards. He could not enter the promised land due to what seems to us to be a minor incident. Plus, one of his best friends, Joshua, replaced him. Having endured much with the Hebrews, his final allowance involved climbing Mount Nebo, specifically Pisgah’s peak. This ascent offered a view of his long-held dream, the destination for which he’d so fiercely striven to lead the stubborn Hebrews. I also identified with Joshua, Samuel, David, Paul, and so many others. Those holy moments when those men mentored me have indeed been memorable.
But those mentoring times didn’t happen so much until I changed the way I read the Bible. For decades I had faithfully read the Bible through each year. Connie and I even went to church at 6 am to meet with God. To be honest, I feared Satan was attempting to deceive me into altering my quiet time routine. I finally understood that the Holy Spirit, not Satan, was attempting to achieve a radical change in my quiet time with God. But when I finally conceded, I slowly personalized how I read the Bible. It was then Bible characters became my mentors. I suggest that you prayerfully consider making your devotional time into mentoring time.