Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- January 12, 2014
“Chose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.” Deuteronomy 1:13
The selection process of wise leadership can make or break an organization. We are constantly faced with this in our families, church, work, schools, civic groups, and professional associations. Wise leadership does not come about as a result of pride’s persuasion. It is not found in the “tit for tat” of petty politics. So where do you look for wise leaders? A good place to begin is within the ranks of those who already exhibit wise leadership (Acts 15:22). You see it in the open and authentic environment they create in their work and home, by their own honesty around personal weaknesses and strengths. Indeed, wise leaders are excellent listeners. They listen with the intent to understand. Wisdom desires understanding of what you are thinking and what you are feeling. You observe their wisdom in one-on-one conversation, as they know what questions to ask. They challenge you to think and offer counsel as is appropriate.
Wise leaders are not gurus or know-it-alls. Instead they are smart enough to understand the vastness of what they don’t know. Moreover, a wise leader is respected (I Timothy 3:8). Those who know them the best respect them the most. If those in someone’s inner circle lack respect for the person in leadership, so will those outside their circle of influence. Indeed, respect comes over time. It is the result of doing what you say. It is integrity in living out what you say you believe. Consistent Christ-like behavior invites raving reviews of respect. Wisdom and respect go hand-in-hand. They promote each another.
Last of all, wise leadership points toward God. (Any infatuation with them as an individual is directed to their heavenly Father). Wisdom can only remain in a humble heart. It is within the incubator of humility that wisdom germinates and flourishes. Therefore (aptly so), a wise leader shows humility in their heart for God.
God entrusts wisdom to the humble of heart. He is stingy in giving wisdom to the proud. Pride cannot be trusted to be used for His glory. God-given wisdom is priceless. Even religious leaders can forget the Lord’s wisdom (Jeremiah 2:8). It is the application of wisdom that matures relationships, facilitates faith, and grows business and ministry. Wise leaders do not always tell you what you want to hear, but listen to them. Their words are sometimes hard and seem at the moment to be intolerant and insensitive. But this is the maturing process. Wisdom makes foolishness uncomfortable. It is wise leadership that leads you beyond mediocrity and immaturity. Wise leaders lead you to grow in your relationship with Christ. They promote God’s agenda. Follow wise leaders and be a wise leader. Patiently and prayerfully select and appoint wise leadership.
Taken from the January 12th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 1” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
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WOW, does our nation, the people, voters of our awesome nation need the wisdom from this article. In my opinion, our nation is in the condition it is because of the lack of godly wisdom. And so in the lack of godly wisdom we have been left with earthly wisdom which James tells us is demonic. So many of the regulations and laws that have been passed bear the fruit of the absence of wisdom, common sense, justice and righteousness. And we all get to reap from what has been sown for a number of decades. Our only hope is that we serve an awesome God who is still working His plans and purposes out through His people who are called by His name. And He is giving us the strength to endure to the end because we have chosen to believe in Him and His Word.
Dear Susan,
We are so thankful you are a fellow wisdom hunter! Thank you so much for your response to “Wise Leadership”. So well said and appropriate for our times!
My favorite quote of yours: “Our only hope is that we serve an awesome God who is still working His plans and purposes out through His people
who are called by His name”. Thank you, Susan, for that encouraging reminder.
May this new year bring you joy and good health.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne Maffett
Wisdom Hunters