Mentoring-The Source

The impulse to mentor comes from the heart of God’s Being. He is the source. Love is the motivation for coming alongside another for their growth and wellbeing. Let’s explore a bit more.

We are not static beings. Often when thinking about our growth and maturity we talk in terms of arriving and reaching a certain level or having a linear pathway. Perhaps that is true in a long-term sense. But real growth can be circuitous.

Maturation may not be about a lack of something only. It may be about developing and the blooming of what is resident or hidden. The beauty of how God has designed this process is that it demands an “other”. Without the “other” there is no discovery, measurement nor enjoyment of gifting and maturation.

I find myself drawn to how God acts in himself within the Trinity. John Ortberg describes the internal Trinitarian activity as a “giving and receiving of love.” There is a desire for the “Other” that propels the “Other” in their role and activity. This compulsion is not from a lack of something or caused by something that is missing but rather by the innate character of the being generating care for the “Other”. The result is revealing glory, a giving of weight to the other.

The weight of the presence of the other becomes greater. I glorify the Father, Jesus says. The Spirit glories the Son and the Father glorifies the Son and Spirit.

Giving. Receiving. Glory.

Here is the source of mentoring…as our Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit glorify each other so we are to glorify others. We are to give weight to another’s presence-to assist in bringing out all God has created in them so that the world can experience the weight of their presence. As this happens there is a reciprocity with God. One cannot experience the weight of the presence of another without recognizing the weight of God-He is glorified and his name and renown is magnified.

May He be glorified as you bring the weight of presence to others!