One Life – Step One, Finding A Godly Mentor
In choosing a mentor, or in examining ourselves to explore the possibility of our being a mentor to others, the first quality or place to look is in the area of intimacy with God. Everything of true value in life flows from God. You and I and all who serve Him are merely delivery vehicles or conduits. All His children have the potential to be both positive or negative conduits. We can either allow the Spirit of God or the spirit of the world to flow through us to others. At best we are a mix of both. The only perfect conduit was and is Jesus, the Perfect One, who only did what the Father was doing and said what He was saying. We see through a glass darkly. We strive to allow Him to conform us to His image but it’s a battle and the battle ebbs and flows.
Our ability to mentor others is limited by our ability to express to them what God wants them to hear, and our ability to do so is defined by our intimacy with God. When we look for someone to input into our lives as a mentor we should look for one who has demonstrated the fruit of intimacy with our Father. Intimacy with God flows into the manifesting of the fruit of His Spirit and the fruit of His Spirit produces eternal fruit in the lives that are touched in daily relationship.
Eternal fruit is what happens when, because of our obedience to God’s Spirit, others are encouraged to grow closer to God. Everywhere Jesus went and in every relationship He had eternal fruit was produced. Eternal fruit is produced by a combination of revelation and relationship. Revelation meaning we know what God has said or is saying, and in relationship with others is how we share it. Knowing what God has said or is saying flows from intimacy with Him and His Word through prayer, study, and meditation, all of which take time, consistent time. The classic definition of the practice is called “quiet time.” Let me be direct; we can never give what we don’t have and we can’t receive from someone else what they don’t have either. The purpose of our lives in Christ is to finish our race and hear Him say “Well done!” No matter whether we are looking for a mentor for business reasons, marital guidance, personal spiritual growth, or any other reason, the only truly valuable input that we can get has to be founded in and flow to us from the heart of God. God has a plan for each of our lives and all His guidance is to the narrow path of His will. We can get worldly advice from anywhere but only godly advice will ever really be of value. So, rule number one in looking for a mentor is “Look for someone who spends a lot of time with God.” How much is a lot? Well, at least more than you do! A tree is known by its fruit. We aren’t judges but we can be fruit inspectors! What qualities of your spiritual walk need strengthening? Where do you need to apply God’s ways more deeply or specifically? Ask God to show you and then to lead you to one further down the path than you are. 
Press on!
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Buck Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of The C12 Group, LLC - Christian CEO and mentor. Buck has an extensive background in successful organizational development based on the principles found in scripture. The motto of the C12 group is "Building great companies for a greater purpose." 
I love the concept of revelation and relationship! It’s the combination of Truth and keepin’ it real! I want to spend more time with Jesus so I can share more of Him with m’Girls! I’m looking for eternal fruit!