Have you ever felt frustrated by your lack of knowledge and experience and desired a mentor to guide you in a given area? In this article, Carina Alanson encourages us that while God certainly does bring people into our lives to help us learn and grow, ultimately He is our divine mentor and we can and should start learning from God Himself. Be inspired by these 10 Bible verses to remind you God knows that you need instruction and guidance, and that He is more than willing to provide it!
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I had spent hours practicing and preparing my message. And now I finally stood on the stage, pouring my heart out to the women seated before me. My talk seemed to be going well until, about halfway through, I noticed the facial expression of a woman in the audience. She looked as if she’d just taken a bite out of a lemon.
I hoped to encourage my listeners and equip them to find victory in their lives. But when I caught sight of the woman’s grimace, my confidence faltered. My misgivings increased as I skimmed the other women spread across the church sanctuary. Though none looked quite so ‘citrusy’, they didn’t exactly look engaged, either. One woman was fiddling with a cell phone. Others simply appeared bored. Am I failing to connect with these women? I wondered. Do they disagree with or dislike what I’m sharing?
The Concerns Build
Gripping the microphone, I pushed my insecurities aside and pressed on. But after the event was over, my concerns returned. I hadn’t received any negative feedback during the post-service social time. But I hadn’t received any positive comments, either. And I couldn’t help speculating on my audience’s seeming disinterest. Perhaps there was something I could have done to improve my delivery? Or maybe my audience’s behavior was normal, and it wasn’t necessarily a reflection on my performance? I wished I knew a more seasoned female speaker who might offer some insight.
As opportunities have continued to unfold before me, my desire to be coached by someone further down the path of public ministry has only grown. I’m entering new territory. And though it’s exciting, I feel the need for a mentor. Someone to talk to and pray with. Someone who can answer my questions and offer wise advice.
SEARCHING FOR GUIDANCE
Not long after this event, I expressed my longings in my journal. I wrote, “I just feel alone. I feel like I’m stepping into this ministry, and I don’t have anyone to guide me.” Soon after penning these words, I felt God’s gentle response in my spirit. “Learn from Me.”
I knew God was reminding me of Jesus’ invitation found in Matthew 11:29. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
The imagery Jesus uses here references how a farmer would yoke a young ox to an older ox. As they worked together, the young, inexperienced ox would learn from the senior ox how to plow properly. By drawing my attention to this verse, God was letting me know that He wants to walk beside me in the same way. He wants to help me develop my gifts and skills. And if I let Him, He will shoulder the weight of ministry. All I have to do is follow His lead.
LEARNING FROM GOD
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a mentor. And I trust that God will connect me to the right people at the right time. But the truth is, whether or not I have an earthly mentor, I am never alone. I always have access to my divine Mentor. In Jesus, I find the ultimate example of how to minister as a teacher, speaker, and writer. Plus I have His promised Holy Spirit to lead and guide me.
Remembering this brings me such relief. And His loving whisper to my heart that day has continued to bring me comfort and courage as I move forward in all He has for me.
Are you longing for support or leadership in some area of your life? Perhaps you wish for advice from a mom who’s been parenting longer than you. Maybe you’re a worship leader longing for someone to collaborate with. Or maybe you’re a painter seeking assessment of your art. No matter what forms of ministry you’ve been called to, Jesus extends the same invitation to you. Learn from Me.
If you’re looking for more encouragement in this area, here are 10 more verses that assure us that God knows that we need instruction and guidance and that He is more than willing to provide it!
The truth is, whether or not I have an earthly mentor, I am never alone; I always have access to my divine Mentor.
10 VERSES ABOUT GOD’S GUIDANCE IN YOUR LIFE
1. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5, NIV).
2. “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ” (1 John 2:27, NLT).
3 “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said” (Luke 12:11-12, NLT).
4. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (John 16:13, NLT).
5. “This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go’” (Isaiah 48:17, NIV).
6. “Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:2, NIV).
7. “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say’” (Exodus 4:10-12, NIV).
8. “God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him” (Job 36:22, NIV)?
9. “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:8-9, NIV).
10. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8, NIV).
MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE
I pray these verses bring you comfort and give you confidence as you move forward, knowing that your good Father is teaching you and guiding you every step of the way. While He certainly does bring people into our lives to help us learn and grow, ultimately, He is our divine mentor and we can trust Him to lead us and help us succeed in any family, work, or ministry-related endeavor we face!
Want more from Carina?
Check out her free downloads, including her printable “How do I know if a desire is from God?” and her journaling worksheets “Five Things to Do When You’re Trying to Discern God’s Will.” Just follow the link below!
2 comments
Needed to hear these words today. They’ve reminded me of God’s hand on my shoulder, despite being on an undesired path. Thank you!
I’m so glad they were timely, Lori! Many blessings!