Got Wisdom? ASK!

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV): "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."

As previously mentioned, this theme of "getting wisdom" is seen throughout Proverbs. This verse associates a cost with getting understanding, and it raises the question, "how?" How does one "get wisdom?" How does a person "get understanding?"

I believe the answers to those questions are very multifaceted and are discussed throughout Proverbs, but I like how the following verses in James break it down into something very simple... in a word, James advises us: ASK!

James 1:5-8 - "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

Growing up, my dad had Isaac and I pray for "Wisdom and strength like Joseph and Daniel in the Bible."

So, in a word, today's thought is "ASK." Ask for wisdom. Ask for understanding. It is God's will to have these things. He wants us to be living intentionally, for Him, rather than being "adrift" with no purpose.

Are you consistently praying for (ASKING) for wisdom and understanding?

GPS Built In

SO, this morning I am walking to work while blogging on my phone. Conclusion... we are in the 21st century. and I am a bit of a geek.

But that has almost nothing to do with today... almost. I'll explain below.

As a relatively new parent, thinking about how my kids will "turn out" is to be quite honest, a bit scary.

I found this verse encouraging today:

Proverbs 22:6 Point your kids in the right direction�when they're old they won't be lost

This brings me back to my "walkblogging." This phone has a built in GPS chip. On a recent trip, it helped us to navigate the California coastline, avoiding wildfires an even showing where to find the cheapest gas.

To me, this verse tells me that as parents, our role is to help program that GPS chip built into our kids. They will still have to learn to use it, and they will still lose their way, but they will have what it takes to find their way.

With God's help and no small amount of assistance from a couple of great parents who have always helped me to find my way, I'll be able to do the same for my kids.

Thanks mom and dad!

Take charge of the unruly child in your workplace

Wisdom is the theme of this blog, and it is the running message in Proverbs, which tells us to seek after wisdom, as if we were seeking for hidden treasure.

What does this really mean? In the months since I've started this blog, I have begun to gain a better understanding of how seeking wisdom might work on a day-to-day basis. To me, it means looking around at the familiar, seeking new insight. It means reading something I've read dozens of times and suddenly learning something new. This is one of the reasons I have enjoyed getting back into reading Proverbs regularly. Each time I read it, something new sticks out. Today is no exception.

Proverbs 17:2 (The Message) "A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family."

Today, this verse actually made me think of the workforce. I do a lot of work looking at management practices and leadership development, and one thing I see a lot is a lack of initiative and people taking ownership in their roles. The bigger an organization gets, there tends to be a silo effect and a pervasive attitude of "that's not my job," or "that is someone else's problem".

I see true leaders shed these attitudes and take on the role described in this verse of the honored servant. They take the bull by the horns and take ownership in addressing issues that may or may not be "their job."

Whether it is from being overwhelmed and overworked, or simply not wanting to take risks, or being limited by title or position, the majority do not step out on a limb and show initiative to take charge when no one else is.

I see the word servant being a key and critical concept here. This is not about a hero stepping up and then receiving accolades. This is about having a servant mentality about getting things done, about handling the unruly child, and ultimately being honored and respected for it.

1) When do you tend to "silo" yourself in the workplace or in other areas of your life?
2) Where could you better apply the principle of being a servant and reaching out to help with the "unruly" issues you could make a difference by addressing?
3) If there are issues you are unable to do anything about because of your position, your title, or your situation, how can you serve those and communicate with those who can do something about them? (Rather than just complaining about the obnoxious, unruly child).

Leadership development in Proverbs

I am a "self help guy". The leadership development guy. Yes, that means I go to THAT section in the bookstore. I read stuff like "7 Habits" and "21 irrefutable laws of leadership". I'm that guy.

In reading this morning's passage, what sticks out to me is the simplicity of the advice shared in this chapter about leadership.

Proverbs 16:

"It Pays to Take Life Seriously

10 A good leader motivates,
doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit.

11 God cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.

12 Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
sound leadership has a moral foundation.

13 Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
they love advisors who tell them the truth.

14 An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;
you're smart to stay clear of someone like that.

15 Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;
they're like spring rain and sunshine.

I find it interesting that here in the Old Testament, these principles for business and leadership are laid out for us. These ideas have not changed over the years, and it would seem obvious that the fact they were written then means there were some of the same problems then in leadership and business.

1. What kind of a leader are you in your environment? (Whether you have a formal leadership role or not).
2. What would those around you say about your leadership?
3. Are those around you better for having worked with you?

A little less talk, a lot more action

Proverbs 27: "1 Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow; you don't know the first thing about tomorrow. 2 Don't call attention to yourself; let others do that for you."

This one reminds me of the song that has the lyrics "A little less talk, a lot more action".

We are defined by what we do much more than by what we say. Set goals. Move forward. Demonstrate results.

Tears dried by the years

Today I have a meeting downtown and I rode my bike to a coffeehouse downtown. For some reason, this morning as I made my way downtown I was struck more than usual by the faces of the people who tend to populate Colfax. I saw the temp agency full of workers getting ready to start their day, hoping for a good job with a good day's pay. I saw people standing in the street, and I passed by people walking nowhere.

I spend a lot of time on Colfax, but this morning for whatever reason, these things stood out to me much more than usual. Some words came to mind as I rode, so I opened my computer to write them down, then read today's chapter of Proverbs, which tied right into what I was thinking.

I stopped today to see people instead of see through them.
Behind vacant stares I see a life lived through many hard years
I see hope drained away with streams of now dried up tears.

Regret and scars remain as stains.
Sharp pains dulled by time
Joy is a distant memory covered by pain

Life is now about surviving.
About making memories go away.
Of making it through the night and living again for another day.

Proverbs 19:7 When you're down on your luck, even your family avoids you—
yes, even your best friends wish you'd get lost.
If they see you coming, they look the other way—
out of sight, out of mind."

I don't know about you, but I often "look the other way" to avoid possibly making eye contact with people who are down on their luck. Why is this? Are we afraid of what we will see? Are we afraid it will jolt us out of our comfortable reality?

19:17 Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.

This verse is a promise and a challenge to us. It reminds me of the work Isaac and Brit are doing in Sierra Leone. God will surely bless them richly.

What are you doing to show mercy to the needy? Who are the needy in your life? Your city's homeless? A friend? Family members? What do you have to offer? Is it money? Gifts? Time? Or is it just eye contact and a smile?

Check your motivation at the door

Proverbs 16:2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

How often are you honestly critical of your own motives?
Do you assess this during conflict?
Prior to a confrontation?
Before making decisions?

Prayer: Lord, please help me to see clearly when my motives don't align with your Truth.