Wisdom in the abundance of counsel

For a lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.  Proverbs 11:14
Plans fall for a lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.  Proverbs 15:22
Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.  Proverbs 20:18
A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance and for victory many advisers.  Proverbs 24:5-6

A group of recent college graduates, now early into their careers, asked me, “What did you learn in your 50s that you wish you had learned in your 20s?”

[Wow!  Where do I start?]

“The true value of ‘team,’” I replied.  “I always appreciated team members, but I didn’t truly understand ‘team’ until later in my career.  I wish I had ‘gotten that’ at a much younger age.”

But there were, in the wiring of my soul, three natural resistors that got in my way.  Creative visioning was fun for me and I’d not shared it as completely as I should have.  Also, my natural tendency was to do things myself because I knew they would get done to my liking.  Finally, with a distaste for lording things over people, I felt bad asking them to do things for me.  Not a flattering picture, but an accurate one.

Over time, God showed me not only the value of “team,” but to understand it as his design.  One day, three of my direct reports came to me and said, “Paul, people really want to do things for you.  You need to let them.”  It was a humbling moment.  I felt like a once-inflated snowman at the end of the Holiday Season, now lying flat in the front yard, face down.  Their gentle rebuke was well made and I began to relinquish things to these big-hearted people.  Also, over time, I came to realize that every person does at least one thing better than I can; I needed to respect that – rejoice in it, actually – and rely on the collection of talents innate in each individual.

Finally, I read Tim Keller’s, “Every Good Endeavor” – something of a theology of work, and a very good read!  Early in the book, he explained how God had invited Adam to carry on the creation process.  Having already named day, night, sky, land, sea and so forth, God then delegated to Adam the naming of the animals.  Keller went on to note that God has inspired in each one of us a desire to create, to accomplish something good.  Holding back on asking others for help, I had actually deprived them of “good endeavors.”

I will never forget the integrity of the managers who came to me with much needed advice.  Their guidance was not only for my good, but also for the good of our Division, the team.  And I’ll always be grateful for Tim Keller’s book, for it contained its own great advice: leadership is far nobler than orchestrating others toward an end; it is establishing and safeguarding an environment where people can thrive in their God-given gifts, talents and desires and, through them, create and accomplish something good.

It is a principle without limit: be it work, family or mission, we need guidance.

Lord, open our hearts to the advisers you send us, and bless us all to hear your voice and discern your truth.  Together.

Sweet Words from God - Psalm 119:97-104

Read the Message translation of the verses for today.  It is so beautiful to pour over.  Does it make you think of anything in particular?

"Oh, how I love all you've revealed;
  I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;
  they never become obsolete.
I've even become smarter than my teachers
  since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I've become wiser than the wise old sages
  simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
  so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
  you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
  I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;
  that's why I hate false propaganda."

When I read through this it reminds me of the child who is now an adult and is speaking to a parent.  The conversation goes something like this.

"You have taught me so well, Dad.  I often remember your words to me when I was worried about the bully who wouldn't leave me alone at school.  Remember how you advised me to behave?  I learned so much by following through with your suggestions."

"And now, Dad, I still practice your advice and find that my current path is smoother too, I have learned to zig when I need zig,  to zag when necessary too.  Your words were so wise to my young years and I learned much about life and the right and the wrong way of doing things."

Dad responded, "I didn't do anything but give you the right book to read, the same book my father gave me when he told me to Grow Up Strong in God's Word."  

Read the text in the NIV translation here.