During our lifetime we are going to be, whether we realize it or not, a mentor to someone around us. It may be by design or it may be someone watching what we do and say and we don’t really know about it.
The Bible gives us explicit examples of how we are supposed to live and act while we are on this earth. It tells us, that as godly people, we should use wisdom in our daily lives in what we are doing and saying. The Bible is our mentor and it should be. Psalm 119:10 tells us; “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.”
To those around us listening to what we say and watching how we live, are doing what the psalmist says we should do when we are being mentored by the Bible. Someone is seeking us with all of their heart and it is up to us to display a great attitude, good disposition, a clean living, an honest day’s work, and live each day according to the Ten Commandments.
I have a friend named Randy Oswalt of Vicksburg, MS, that is a retired civil engineer. He now goes into churches and schools mentoring to all age groups giving them some very sound advice. He speaks of how when he was young his high school principal was a mentor to him and gave him some great advice. He told me “I want to plant a seed. There will come a time in your life when you will want to give back to others.”
When speaking to students my friend always speaks of the ABC’s; A stands for Attitude; B stands for Behavior; and C stands for Choices. He tells them they are the only ones that can decide on the ABC’s and that everyone around them is watching what they do and say. He speaks about how they have choices of friends that don’t smoke, take drugs, or use alcohol. He emphasizes how they can be leaders in their peer groups and be an influence on others to choose the right goals.
Oswalt also has a message for the older generation on how to stay healthy and live longer. “Eat a good breakfast, get a good night’s sleep, stay connected with positive friends, eat a balanced diet, stay active-exercise, no smoking or harmful drugs, and don’t take foolish risk,” he said.
He says to all of his listeners to: Laugh Often; Live Well; and Love Others.
As seeds were planted into each of our lives when we were young, we should also plant seeds into the generations of today. Being a mentor to someone is a very positive thing to do, however we need to realize that others are watching us as well. In all that we do remember what we are told in 1 Corinthians 14:33; “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…”
