Yoda is the best. Not only did he mentor Obi-Wan but he also completed Luke’s training. I’ve written many times about our need to have a Yoda in our lives; we need someone older and more experienced to help us develop and change. I’ve been blessed with a number of great mentors in my life who have been Yoda to my Obi-Wan.
It’s a little weird, though, when we start to Yoda a former Yoda.
I’ve been mentoring people in some capacity since I was in high school. It’s my job as a youth pastor to mentor students and help them become the people God created them to be. I love mentoring students and it’s only by God’s grace that I’ve been able to influence the lives of young people.
Recently, though, I’ve been mentoring a mentor and it has been weird.
Doug is the worship pastor at our church and he is an amazing man of God. He has been leading God’s people into a deeper worship experience since before I watched my first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He has forgotten things about ministry that I have yet to discover. I consider him a tremendous mentor who has helped me to see what it means to not only be passionate about God but his people as well.
So when he asked for some help in setting up his new blog I was a little taken aback. I was more than happy to help him but it’s weird to go from Obi-Wan to Yoda even if it’s only in a specific area.
Even though I was mentoring Doug with his blog, he still ended up teaching me a lesson. Even though Doug is older, wiser and has far more experienced, he was willing to ask someone for help. He didn’t allow his age, wisdom and experience to keep him from seeking out help when he needed it. I’ve often hoped for age, wisdom and experience because then I’ll finally have all the answers. Doug showed me that we’ll never have all the answers and we need to be willing to learn from anyone no matter how old, wise or experienced we are.
Even when I thought I was being Yoda I ended up as a Padawan again.
When have you mentored a mentor? What was that experience like?
Be sure to check out Doug’s blog WholeLifeWorship.com and remember that it is a work in progress.
Careful with calling people older – one of these days you will be the double nickel and still think of yourself as Luke. It happens quickly.
Complete now, the circle is…..;-)
I love this. You are so right. I help my dad with computer problems and questions. It seems strange to be a mentor to my dad, but I am so glad to be there for him.