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.