Keep clear in your mind the difference between someone teaching you something and someone shaping you.

Anyone at any moment can teach you something. Observing a homeless person, a child or even your pet is an opportunity to learn something.  But allowing someone to shape you, now that’s an entirely different issue.

Never doubt it, someone(s) is shaping how your think and live your life.  To be unintentional about choosing who those people will be is to delagate yourself to becoming a misshapen, misdirected and unfocused person.

Perhaps a good way to prioritize would be:

1. Illustrations – these can be anyone who illustrates a positive or negative lesson in life.
2. Teachers – people you intentionally seek out to teach you a specific skill or specific information.
3. Mentors/models – that very short list of people who you allow to shape the way you think and live your life.

• The ONE THING for today: Learn from everyone but choose carefully those you allow to shape you for once you’re shaped your destiny is set and to be reshaped will require being broken.

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.