Where are you in your life right now? Looking back, what goals have you accomplished, what ground have you covered, and rewards have you earned? As I look back on the path that brought me where I am today, there are tire tracks that are not my own. I stoop down and touch the impressions left in the soil and remember the faithful men and women that escorted me to excellence. Here are 4 quick thoughts about mentors:

1. Mentors have already been there or at least been somewhere close.

Ideally, a mentor is someone older and wiser. The reason for this is because our peers are usually in a similar life stage as us. Generally, the older the mentor, the richer their storehouse of wisdom.

2. Mentors have your best interest in mind, even when it does not feel like it.

Mrs. Kelly saw the best in me and is a primary factor I got a full-ride to college. I was turned down by multiple local scholarships and almost gave up applying by December of my senior year in high school. She knew how hard I was trying and encouraged me to apply for a national scholarship. I thought she was out of her mind! Yet, she coached me, helped revise my resume, looked over my essays, and simply walked me through the application process. Months later, I became a Gates Millennium Scholar. Thank you again, Mrs. Kelly!

3. Mentorship is sometimes a slow process involving many people.

The progress of my character has taken years and is still developing. The baton has been passed from one mentor to another, and each one has played a specific role in making me more like Christ. Mentorship does not happen in a day, and by no means can only one person sharpen your character completely.

4. A good mentor is relentless.

I will always remember my good friend Bart who mentored me in high school. He helped me identify weak areas in my life and was relentless in helping me achieve victory. I will always remember that phone call. “Sunjay”, Bart said, “I’m outside. We need to talk.” No need for an invite, Bart drove straight to my house to speak to me man to man. Now that is a mentor!

Here is the cool thing: A mentor is someone you both need, and need to be. If we are going to become better Creative Agents and followers of Christ, we need a team of wiser folks coaching us onward. This implies that we do the same for others, as someone else will likewise need a mentor. It is alright if you do not have it all together. Truly my best mentors were flawed individuals that showed me how the power of Jesus could transform their hearts. So, how can you enter the mentorship process in the next couple of months? Who could mentor you and who could you mentor?

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