I came upon this in my inbox today and I've paused for about thirty seconds to think about it. I have a hard time meditating on things because I allow myself to be easily distracted, but the questions at the bottom provoked some thought, and I've decided to share them:

Few men of God have become extraordinary people of faith without the influence of mentors. A mentor is one who takes responsibility for the spiritual and, sometimes, physical care of another. It requires a commitment from the teacher and the student.

Elijah mentored Elisha. Elisha became one of the greatest prophets in the entire Bible. One of the primary reasons for this was Elisha's hunger. Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. It was this hunger that drove Elisha to be sold out to God's purposes for his life.

I have been privileged to have had many mentors throughout my spiritual life. In each stage of my maturity, God brought new mentors who had unique gifts that the previous mentor did not have. God has given me the hunger to desire a double portion of those positive attributes of my mentors. This desire is sorely missing among many today. I fail to see the hunger among many who could be used greatly in the Kingdom. Instead, the cares of this world distract them. It is an attitude of a la carte versus an attitude of pressing in to the full measure of what God might have for them.

Who are the people of God He has placed in your life?
Are you learning from them?
Are you seeking a double portion of their anointing?
What prevents you from gaining from their wisdom and experience?

God may have brought them into your life to prepare you to be a man or woman of God with great anointing. However, there is a time of training and waiting to prove out your own faith. Ask God today if there is someone He would have you mentor or be mentored by.

Not bad eh? I can answer those questions truthfully in that there are a number of godly folks in my life and I observe them and learn that way but I have very little consistent dialogue with anyone. I consider consistent dialogue to be at least 3 times per week either in person, on the phone or through email. I am selfish in my outlook because I tend to dwell on mistakes people have made or recall mainly times that I have felt they've done me wrong and so I bypass all of what God has planted in them and what they would offer me. Asking for the double portion just sounds greedy to me...I don't want to be all puffed up and walk up do Danielle and be like 'hey missy, I'm gonna get me some of our anointin'...yup in fact I want twice as much boldness and creativity and adventure as you.' So even though I see the silliness of that thought process, it is still there. I feel like a gumbo these days - a weird and complicated mixture of bits and pieces stewed and brewed together that comes out tasting ok but it ain't no steak.
Praise the Lord.