Who Do You Follow?
Lady Gaga has 9 million of them; Justin Bieber has almost that many, and Barack Obama ranks third. I not talking about dollars in a bank account…but followers on Twitter! If you keep up with the latest activities and antics of celebrities on Twitter, you are designated a “follower.”
Think about this for a moment; we all are being influenced by those certain “someones” for better or for worse. So let me ask you, who are you following?
In the past months, I’ve asked those of you “older” girls to be ready and willing to be examples of godliness for a generation of women who, deliberately or not, are following in the path of some tragic leaders—among them, the latest pop idols living out the boringly predictable scenarios of good girls gone “Hollywood.”
There is so much at stake when we allow ourselves to be influenced by the wrong people. This challenge isn’t just for the young; it is for all of us. We can be vulnerable at any and every age.
I want to be a good leader. No…strike that. I want to be a great leader. But I also I want to choose my mentors carefully. So what do I look for? Of course I am looking for women who love God and serve others—that’s a given. But there are two qualities that are indispensable to qualify as a good mentor in my book.
First of all, I want a well-rounded woman. A life that reflects the integrity of the gospel. Not just a great Bible knowledge, but an example in her marriage, her friendships, her ability to forgive, a good sense of humor. Simply put: a well-rounded life!
Secondly, give me a woman who has a few miles on her. Yes, some things do get better with age. Not just a woman who has grown older, but a woman who has grown up! A woman who has experienced all kinds of trials, and her faith has proved genuine. Women who are proven by the tests of hardship and are still standing strong.
This means being intentional about choosing to follow those who have lived enough of life to earn our respect. The great danger is, if you don’t choose the best mentors, by default you will choose poor ones.
We should be studying the examples of great and wise women who have walked with the Lord for many years. Women of Scripture, women of history, and women God has placed in our lives in the churches we attend.
This passage seems to sum it all up so beautifully; when Paul wrote to his young protégé Timothy, he could say, “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me” (2 Timothy 3:10–11 esv).
I read this the other day and thought it was wisely put: “A mentor is someone whose hindsight can become your foresight.” Have you ever paused to consider who you are allowing to mentor you? Remember: The great danger is, if you don’t choose the best mentors, by default you will choose poor ones.
33 comments
Carlos | June 24, 2011
I follow my Lord Jesus Christ.
Barbara | June 29, 2011
There is no one else I would rather follow than Jesus Christ, He is the lamp for my feet and the light for my path. Since I am 77, I really do not have anyone mentoring me, but I am a mentor myself to others in my church who are the age of my daughters and granddaughters. They know that they can come to me at any time with any problem and I will not only pray with them, and if needed, I will give them some grandmotherly advice as well, if they ask for it.
Sandie R | July 7, 2011
Thank you Cathe!! You spoke to my heart !! Lv in Him Sandie R
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Adrianne | June 24, 2011
AMEN! Well put Cathe. Thank you for the convicting yet encouraging emails, they are truly a blessing!
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Kinya | June 24, 2011
Simply love what you've shared! All so true.
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Punky | June 24, 2011
Cathe, This is excellent! My husband, John, and I are in ministry (highimpactlife.com)- the focus of which is training & equipping men & women to be maturing, reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ. I have a bevy of youngun's- 25-35ish, who are struggling to find great mentors (I can only mentor/disciple so many 1-on-1). Toughest part is getting the "older women" (Titus 2's) to step up and intentionally reproduce... train and equip these youngun's in how to walk this thing out daily. It's a joy to invest my life in young women. Yet it makes me sad that there aren't more women stepping up. Thank you, again, for your blog post. I will be passing it along! Bless you and Greg and the great Kingdom work you are doing. xo P
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Lisa | June 24, 2011
Hi Cathe,
WOW! Thank you for this great reminder.
Lisa
p.s. I follow you and your husband for I know you stick closely to the Word of God and I have learned from your teachings for about 25 years now.
May God continue to richly bless you
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Minerva | June 24, 2011
Thank goodness I don't dress promiscuously. I too want to be someone my family sees as a good mentor. I'm the oldest of five sisters and I'm happy to see one of my sisters is serving the Lord. The other four aren't yet, but I share with them all the beautifull things Jesus has done for me so they too can desire to want to have a better life. In high school, my sisters did whatever I did. If I had hair four or five inches high, they too wanted that and by bad choice I was attracted to wanting to dress like a gang member so eventually they did too. From there problems began. We got pregnant young, got into trouble and grew up just non-productive or more like had lives without anything to show for ourselves, except one sister that became a teacher. I saw myself getting older and felt embarrased for my parents that had hoped the best for us. I turned to Jesus. The best thing I could have done. I lost three of my children to C.P.S, and they were adopted. I felt empty. Three depressing years went by and I asked Jesus for a family again. My boyfriend and I were not married. That is another issue I'm dealling with that I might share later. Anyways, I got pregnant with twins. Praise God! What I'm trying to say is I want to give something back to the Lord and now I want to be a positive influence for my family.
Mick | June 25, 2011
Minerva, my daughter went through some wild years too and give birth to my first grandchild at 14. She got right with Jesus and now teaches Sunday School. As Joyce Meyer says, God can make our messes into our ministry. All your past will be used by the Lord to enable you to minister to others, if you let Him. We, who have had years of bad living, are able to minister to others with bad lives. We have been there, done that, and so, we are not judgmental. We can say truthfully that we understand. Our Lord will be using you as you wish - watch for the opportunities He will be sending your way. Lord bless and keep you. Love in Jesus, Mick
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Cheryl | June 24, 2011
Hi Cathe, I am a new Christian. I have been really struggling lately. I am trying to be virtuous and live a clean life. My family is not saved and needs emotional and physical healing. I also lost my job on Good Friday. Nothing is going right. Cheryl
Katherine | June 24, 2011
Dear Cheryl,
I am sorry for you that you are in the midst of hardship. I will be praying for you. My first prayer is that you can find another prayer partner whom you can pray with or a home group of people who will minister to you and pray with you. In my experience, the prayers that God delights in answering are always prayers I ask to know how to serve people God places in my life. Start praying that God will lead you to know how to minister to those nearest and dearest to you. God will surely answer those prayers and your gentle, loving ministry to those around you will bless them. Ask God too, to answer your needs. Talk with Him, tell Him everything and let Him minister to you. This is the Christian life. God loves us, receive it in your prayers and daily walk with Him and then minister to those around you. You will grow in love and maturity and faith. God bless you dear one.
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Yvonne | June 24, 2011
Cheryl,
Just keep on praying and remember Satan likes to discourage. Sometimes we have to go to the valley so God can lift us up again. Pray for strength, knowing God is trying to teach you something. Listen to Him. You will be ok. Love you my sister in Christ. I have been where you are. It will get easier, promise.
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Janice | June 27, 2011
Cheryl,
Keep praying. Pray for strength, endurance, and a strong faith will follow. God has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11) and in His time He will lead you in His path for you. Do not lose heart, God is faithful and He will provide. He knows you by name and has called you to be His. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Remember, mountain tops are good for the view, but fruit is grown in the valleys.
PS P U S H Pray Until Something Happens
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Veronica | June 24, 2011
Amen to that : ) Excellent post on who do you follow. I especially love the paragraph about the woman with a few miles on her LOL! Not just a woman who has grown older, but a woman who has grown up by her trials and her faith proved genuine. We want to follow Jesus of course, but have Godly people in our lives, especially those deep rooted in Christ, (such as You & the Virtue Ladies) Thank You Cathe, I needed this one today : )
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Ava | June 24, 2011
Wow!! Timely message!! I just got home from my first meeting with my new mentor in our church's ladies mentor/mentee ministry!! She's a total blessing, and I know a gift from God. Your message is total confirmation. Thank you and may God bless you and your house!
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Ellen | June 24, 2011
Thank you for a great message!
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Katieb | June 24, 2011
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I haven't found anyone yet who I would consider as my mentor. At 52, I have met a lot of people I admire for different reasons and on various levels. I may glean a pointer here and there, but I wouldn't consider anyone specifically for such a role. I feel most comfortable just taking it directly to my Lord.. I would love to have that sort of relational depth, but just haven't found it, yet.. :)
Cindy | July 4, 2011
Hi Katieb,
I'm 51, a fairly new Christian and am a pretty solitary person. I don't have a home church, but read the scriptures regularly and follow Harvest Ministries. I don't have a mentor per se, but do have sisters in Christ that lift me up. It's funny, but even though I am a novice, I have many high school girls that come to me for advice at my bakery. Most are young Christians and I believe that I am actually mentoring them by example. Maybe that is my calling from the Lord, that I be there to encourage and lift them up. Sometimes a mentor need not be a formal one, but only one that can offer words of encouragement and be an example. Tis better to give than receive, so at this point it's my role to BE a mentor rather than have one. What better mentor than Christ Jesus?
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Consuelo | June 24, 2011
Hi Cathe, Thank you for your encouragement. I want to follow Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, no matter what circumstances I am facing. I will never give up. I know that in Christ, all problem are temporary and all our blessings are eternal. There will be joy in the morning. Bless you and Pastor Greg for the job you are doing. Love you !!
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Cindi | June 24, 2011
My first mentor was a mature woman in the Lord. She is not much older than me, but about 15 years ago, she was my Bible Study leader. I admired her "quiet and gentle" spirit and her desiring to lead us closer to the Lord.
I wanted so much to be like her, and I watched and listened every group time. We are now close friends and I still admire her. I still ask her advice in times of need and she will ALWAYS refer me to Scripture (which I LOVE).
Now , the Lord sends younger women to me and I always try to follow the example the Lord gave me all those years ago. AND I am so blessed to be in the women's study for 20 plus years!
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May | June 24, 2011
Hello! I must ask myself...Would I ever follow the directions of just anyone? I'm very confused. I am an older follower. Yes, even we can be led by what we see and hear from professional counselors. I have been online setting up taking time to learn about weight loss surgery and actually making an appointment. Some of my doctors and my counselor are wanting me to have the surgery. Then I got your email asking us, "Who do you follow?" Next, my eye was caught by your words November 14, 2010. "wise ...or otherwise." Third, I looked up -Proverbs 28:26 (Amplified). He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a {self-confident} fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered. I need to seek God's will for me to be delivered.
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Marita | June 24, 2011
Hi sister Cathe, Thank you for the great insight you shared here. It's true and it gives me courage to face daily challenges.
God bless you with more wisdom.
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Jean | June 24, 2011
My mentors are Anne Graham Lotz, Elisabeth Elliot, Beth Moore, Edith Schaeffer, Lisa Hibbs, Cathe Laurie, Amy Carmichael...sorry but this list could go on and on! I too see a lack of "older" women, in the church today, taking the time to mentor younger women. I have some physical limitations, so I do a lot of mentoring online, but as I am more able, I hope to be of some use in my new church.
I know I have listed people that I do not associate with personally, but I have not found any women (even pastor's wives) who could fulfill the role (as you listed) or were willing to. Hope springs eternal, and maybe someday...but for now you and other genuine and faithful women will suffice!
I praise God for those women who are willing to make themselves available, whether in person, through books, video and audio teaching, or online!!
So, thank you Cathe, for being counted among the faithful to serve. <3
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Laura | June 24, 2011
I follow Jesus...and my mom, who like Paul, had a lot of trial and tribulations but also has the beautiful grace and courage to keep her faith strong and true. I also follow the Laurie's...your sermons and insights are amazing and at times brings me to my knees to thank the good Lord above for all I have. God bless you and Greg for your words, your example of faith in all you teach and pray.
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Valerie | June 24, 2011
Cathe,
I'm very blessed to have many mentors @ Harvest-Riverside. My mother went home with Jesus when I was 37 years old. Since then I have met awesome women who love the Lord and are living out their faith. I was blessed to spend one year with amazing prayer warriors in the intercessory prayer room on Wednesday mornings. Talk about real mentors, I aspire to be like them one day for the next generation. Thank you for leading us women in the Lord.
Blessings,
Valerie
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Pollyanna :) | June 25, 2011
I follow my Lord Jesus Christ. He alone has been an inspiration to me and He will never let us down. As for worldly people who will one day perish, why should we look up to them and want to be like them. I'm happy to say I will one day be with the creator who made them. Now that's something :)
Blessings
Polly:) xx
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Dr. Dansmith | June 25, 2011
As a pastor & mentor myself, I appreciate every word you used both from Scriptures, past mentors & personal experience. I love your teachings & that of your husband. I'm blessed. Thanks so much.
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Carolyn | June 25, 2011
Thanks so much for this outstanding post. It's truly godly advice for all young girls-to women of all ages. I'm so thankful for having a Christian mother and older sisters who helped and influenced me through those young teen-age years.
Young adult Christian women still need mentoring as well, some maybe more than ever. The adult life can bring on totally new, and usually unexpected, problems for Christian women. We tend to think that just because someone is a Christian...or becomes a Christian, everything will be fine. These women may be most vulnerable to new experiences with failures and trials. New Christians, or Christians who may be weak spiritually, may need mentoring most of all. I wish all girls and women could read your post and realize the influence their friends, and even those people in which they hang around or work, have on their Christian growth.
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Katherine | June 25, 2011
I've grown in my faith, in my relationship with my Lord, by keeping my Bible open where I can see it, bump into it, run to it...and It's God's words that teach me as I seek Him daily. F.R.O.G. = Fully Rely on God. My desire is to: accept my trials as a gift, trusting, believing that my relationship with God will be strengthened and that I would feel His presence with me. Also, when I am struggling with someone, I need to show love to the unlovable, and I just want to sit and listen......to the words Jesus said in the Book of John, I watch the DVD "The Gospel of John".. I never get tired of watching it...because it's not a movie to me, they are the words out of the book of John......and so encouraging..and I always get something out of it...even if I can't finish it all in one sitting....Maranatha!
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Pam B | June 25, 2011
I totally agree! We draw from those we follow. We may start out thinking it's just entertainment, but before long we start to become what we see and hear. Then the enemy and our flesh convince us that it's just entertainment. It can become who we are, what we believe and what life is about. Something else I've observed lately are those in our church ( the body, Harvest is not my home church) quoting some questionable religious leaders. This concerns me! We need to be even more aware of where and who we are being fed from. Although I have heard many times from different Calvary Chapel afilliates telling their congregation, "don't take my word for it, look at the Word for yourself, check them"! I don't know what else can be done, but I do know it needs to be addressed! Thank you Cathe for being a godly example of a true woman of God!
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Theodosia | June 25, 2011
Hi, Cathe, Praise FATHER GOD, THANK YOU JESUS for a woman after FATHER GOD'S own heart. Thank HIM for filling you with HIS wisdom to give us women support in our walk in CHRIST JESUS. Your words of encouragement as a woman of FATHER GOD, we are blessed to have a sister like you. I myself and many others sisters in CHRIST JESUS are going thru much afflictions, but, thank FATHER GOD and PRAISE JESUS CHRIST. His Holy Word says HE will delivers out of them all. LET all of our miseries be used for HIS ministry to teach and show the younger women the love and wisdom of following our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!! Please pray for me to know and hear from FATHER GOD and HIS plan and perfect will my life in JESUS NAME. Thank you and continually be blessed in JESUS NAME AMEN!!!
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Agnes | June 25, 2011
My friends are: you and Pastor Greg, Pastor Chuck Smith, Pastor Billy Graham (Dr, William Graham), the late Ruth Bell Graham, Anne Lotz Graham, Pastor John Hagee, Pastor Charles Stanley, Pastor Jeff Lasseigne to name a few, Harvest Worship Band, Me, Jeremy Camp. They don't know me, but that is whose company I am with. I am eighty-four. My truest friend was a Jewish teen and later she lost both legs running to catch a train and fell under it. The first person who told me about Jesus was a young Jewish woman. She told me the story, but stopped after the death of our Lord Jesus. My daughter-in-law has been my mentor and lives on the opposite coast from me. When I married my husband, I told him that he was my lord and savior. We were married for fourty-seven years. He died in July 2000. It was shortly after that in 2000 that I came to Jesus. It was like God had to remove my husband for me to come to our Lord Jesus. Our Heavenly Father was always with me, but I think He perhaps wanted to teach me some lessons before I was ready to come to Jesus. In forty-seven years of marriage my husband was still my lord, but I soon found out he wasn't my savior. He was a good husband.
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Dora | June 26, 2011
Amen. It seems that the Lord was speaking to me. First it was at church and now this. Wow! Thank you for your wisdom and straightforward message of the Word to me. I follow the Lord; He is first, and then my marriage and children. May God Bless you and your family.
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Paula | June 27, 2011
I am following the one and only True "Living" God.... Jesus is the the "LIGHT" of the world! I agree with you Cathe...Too many people are following the WRONG mentor!!! And if you are a child of the most high God....you should be ashamed of yourself following people of the world! Christ is NOT in their lives!!!! Why would you follow someone who is NOT following Jesus Christ! {Amen}
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Rosemarie | June 27, 2011
Cathe, let me first say, THANK YOU! for posting this. It has always been my prayer that many young women and older women who need some growth in their life would see this post and see just how important it is to have a spiritual mentor to walk with you in your life. God has blessed me with two beautiful, godly mentors whom I am forever grateful for. I was motherless at the age of 13 and never knew how to experience life as a woman, just as a Tom Boy. But later in life these two women walked into my life and I will never forget their godly knowledge, their godly ways, their godly love and heart for me in guiding me and helping me along. Because of them, God worked through them to help me transform my life. I will always be FOREVER GRATEFUL.
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Dee | June 27, 2011
Dear Cathe: Your words this morning were confirmation to what I was listening to on the way to work: "Choosing to be a mentor" by Gail Mays.
I'm convinced that it is through the Divine enthusiasm and influence of godly women that the next generation of girls and young women will have a fighting chance.
I'd like to add that it is extremely important that we not just BE mentors, but we also continue to HAVE and seek out mentors throughout our lives, even when we're "mature." ;)
I consider you, Cathe, a mentor. Even though we don't know each other personally. Your life and example have been invaluable in my life. Thank you, sis!
Blessings to you for being sensitive to the Spirit!
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Charity | June 27, 2011
Amen! Great reminder and focus of what is important as well as a reminder what we should be surrounding ourselves with. thank you.
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Lynda | June 27, 2011
Thank you for the the great reminder that as we walk through this life, endure pain and suffering, we are an ever example of Christ and His influence. I could not put my feet on the ground without the strength and endurance He provides me.
God bless you and your family!
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Jacqueline | June 28, 2011
I follow Christ...to tell the truth I only hear these names in the news or otherwise. I live in the Caribbean and spend most of my time seeking God's word. I must admit, there are some distractions, but not to worry...I am more than a conqueror.
All in all, these celebrities don't help put food on my table, cloth me, console me, or strengthen me. In other words they do nothing for me..... I FOLLOW CHRIST JESUS!!!
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Clara | June 28, 2011
Hi Cathe,
Thanks!! Indeed, we all need to be following our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thanks also for reminding me
that I should have a great mentor & also be a great mentor myself. I think if I sought to live each
moment in God's presence, then I would be a great mentor. I can not do it myself. I need His Holy
Spirit to help me become a great mentor.
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