Mirror Your Model!

Mirror Your Model! Seek out someone who has already been to the inner chambers.

Scripture Reading
Exodus 33:7-11, describes how Moses entered the tabernacle to speak with God face to face. When Moses returned to the camp his servant Joshua stayed behind.

The best way to learn anything is to see it modeled. If you want to go somewhere you have never been before, find someone who has already been there. Someone who can tell you where the pitfalls and false turns are, so you can stay on track. Someone whose brain you can pick; whose knowledge and experience you can take advantage of.

Trial and error is okay, sometimes even essential. After all, failure can be a great teacher for someone willing to learn. How much better, though, to shadow someone who has already walked that road. Someone who can say, “Been there, tried that, it didn't work. Here's what you do.” Failure is a good teacher but experience is even better.

Joshua learned early on the importance of a good mentor. He was a man who wore many hats. Joshua was Moses' personal servant and assistant. He was also Moses' designated successor.

Moses had already been in the inner chambers. Joshua shadowed Moses wherever he went, serving his needs, carrying out his instructions and trying to learn everything he could from the great leader. One of the things Joshua picked up from Moses was a deep hunger for God. He knew that any successor to Moses would have to be more than a warrior and an administrator. Above all else he would have to be a man of God who was totally committed to God's will and ways.

Joshua learned how to get close to God by first spending time with Moses, God's friend. Joshua was in training. He was already skilled as a soldier and a leader. Now he was being trained in the presence of God. To get to that place of intimacy he walked beside someone who had been there before him. By the time Moses died, Joshua was ready to take his place. Joshua knew the inner chambers of the King because his mentor had already been there.

Who do you know and trust that has been where you want to go and could help you get there? Who can show you how to attain the inner chambers of the King? Find that person, and if he or she is willing, stay close at hand and learn everything you can. Let that person model the intimate God-life for you. Then, mirror your model!

Prayer
Lord, I want to be more intimate with You. Thank You that I found that someone who has become my model and is teaching me how to attain Your inner chambers. Please Lord help me to teach others!

Excerpt from the book Finding Favor with the King by Tommy Tenney