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Author: Mike Shaughnessy, from the Servants of the Word, an international, ecumenical brotherhood of men living single for the Lord.

Find a mentor

You learn things from people who know more than you do.

I didn’t teach myself how to speak but by the time I was two I could say “two and two makes four.” It took a while before I understood the math. Eventually I learned it. Later, I learned the difference between right and wrong from older people who knew right and wrong. I learned chemistry in high school from my chemistry teacher, not my art teacher. You learn things from people who know more than you do.

The same is true for learning how to discern God’s will. You learn how to do it from people who know how to do it. Yes, you can learn a lot today by watching a video or reading a book. But when it comes to discerning God’s will for the most important personal decisions in your life, you are better off finding someone who has learned the skill of discernment. A person who knows you and your circumstances can help you more than Google can. If you want to be a great worship leader, go hang out with a great worship leader. If you know a great mom, ask to live with her. If you know a great dad, ask him to be your mentor.

Proverbs 4:7 tells us, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.” One of the best ways to get wisdom about discerning God’s will is to get a wise mentor.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.