Have you ever seen an eagle? They are truly magnificent creatures! When an eagle is a baby, the parent is fully responsible to hunt, gather food, and feed the eaglet. However as the eaglet grows, the parent begins to wean him from being dependent toward independence. The parent will stand on the edge of the nest with a tasty morsel of food in it’s mouth and vigorously flap it’s wings. The baby eaglet, cries out in hunger for the food and begins to mirror the parent -flapping its small wings. Over time, as the eaglet’s wings become stronger, the parent withholds food and the eaglet is forced to leave the nest to hunt. By then it’s wings have grown strong enough and independence is achieved.

Most people who desire to grow find their first mentors in the pages of books. While that’s a great place to start, you don’t want to just stay there because God created us to be in relationship. At some point, you must find a personal role model. While books can provide a wealth of information, they cannot give us the relational component that we need (Luke10:38-42). Personal growth without the benefit of a spiritual role model and older friend will only get you so far. The Bible directly speaks to the benefits of having such a friend in Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Like the eagles, a Christian learns how to fly by having someone to mirror. We become like the people we admire and the models we follow. This is why you want to be a good steward with the talents that God has entrusted you with.

When you study people who reached the pinnacles of success, they all have one thing in common. They understood the importance of having an older person speaking wisdom into their life. An important aspect of teaching, is for the older ones to take the time to explain how they came to their conclusions. If they are sharing something from the Lord, they can take the time to explain what went on behind the scenes, building bridges of communication, so that the young can also learn how to come up with their own conclusions when the time comes.

The best teacher is a role model. Jesus taught by living among the people, showing them how to do what He did and teaching them about His Father Who was the Source for everything in His life. He taught people through stories in their current surroundings, so that they could see the practical and apply it to the spiritual. The best kind of teachers are those who are transparent and learn to let go of any airs or masks. They are simply real, living people, sharing from their own hearts and lives… the triumphs and the pitfalls of every day living, and how relationship with our Heavenly Father makes a difference. (John 10:2-4)

A good role model will have a heart that deeply loves the Lord. They will display professional excellence and skills from which you can learn and have a character worthy of emulating. Since we become like the people we hang around, you want to do your due diligence when picking a role model. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and spend time in prayer. Pay attention to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important to scrutinize their personal lives as carefully as their public performance. It is not wise, or even possible, to divorce private behavior from public leadership.

A good role model is available and accessible. Andrew Carnegie said, “As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” In order for us to be actively mentored, we must have time with people to ask questions and learn from their answers. A good mentor will bless you with their wisdom, love and experience. They help us navigate difficult situations and see opportunities we would otherwise miss. In essence, they make us wiser than our years. Lastly, good mentors provide friendship and support. They unselfishly work to help you reach your potential. As Paul said “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1

Every day we have a choice: we can choose to grow deeper or fall weaker in our walk with Him. No matter who you are, what you have accomplished, how low or how high your life has taken you, you can benefit from having a role model. The choice is yours. “Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor” (Proverbs 1:8-9).

Blessings,

Dr. Christy Demetriades

 

About the guest blogger:

Dr. Christy Demetriades has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology and a B.S. in Exercise/Sports Science from Vanguard University. She loves Jesus, has a heart for people and has dedicated her life to serving Him.