Stand on your own two feet.

When I was in Florida on Marco Island I remember seeing the Large Mani ties floating in the water and they had these little critters all over their backs called barnacles. It reminded me of some people that find others that have worked hard to get where they are in life and they clung to them making a name for themselves by association, not because they earned the reputation.

At first glance I was a bit disgusted and had no respect for these people, but on further examination, I choose to look at it as weakness will always attach itself to something or someone stronger than itself. A mentor is someone who shares what they have learned in life and supports others.

If you are a barnacle I would suggest learning from others but do not give up your own value and worth by loosing your identity in who someone else is.

You cannot convince someone that because you are someone Else's right hand man that you are equal to them. You are equal because God made you and your value and worth comes from who you are in Christ.

Learn and grow and then let go. Become who you are ,examine your gifts and talents and let that be good enough for you. Concentrate on becoming the best at being you not riding on the wings of another. Mentors are like crutches they support you while you are in a weakened state. Crutches are meant to be a temporary stabilization system , not a permanent fixture. To many people in life and in our churches are leaning on someone else and refusing to grow and change and give out of who they have become because of the support they have been given.

I encourage you to prepare yourself to separate from the crutch and start walking on your own to feet. You are needed by others to be yourself. No one can fill your shoes, no one can be who you are. You are enough, you are unique and special and you have something of great value to add to others. It is time to get off the backs of those you follow.