IN the recent past, I have mentioned association. There are great benefits attached to good associations. Bad company corrupts good manners. This means association has a direct impact on one’s character.
Association has the ability to transfer either wisdom or foolishness (Proverbs 13:20). Mentorship provides the best form of association. Mentors are trainers. They help us develop patterns to deal with certain challenges or circumstances that we confront in our life journey.
Proverbs (13:20) says, “He that walks with the wise shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed”. Even though wisdom is a gift, it cannot be fully realised without exercise. It can be reduced or multiplied depending on who you relate to. Your wisdom will increase if you mix with the wise.
Mentorship sets patterns to deal with life situations. Patterns refer to a mental picture of an incident that once occurred, recalled whenever similar situations arise again. A patternless life is an aimless and without order.
Paul, knowing he effect of pattern, admonished the brethren: “Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:9). Elisha followed the pattern of his mentor Elijah to open the river Jordan (2, Kings 2:8, 13-14).