Throughout modern history people have declared “greater
education” as the antidote necessary for solving human ill in the world. They
say crime in the inner cities can be averted with greater education
opportunities for young people. The issues of poverty in places like Africa,
Haiti, Honduras and other third world countries can be improved with greater
knowledge and education. If that is true, then why is it that after millions of
dollars poured into these issues education has yielded little to no impact for
long lasting improvement?
If education was the key, why do thousands of people die
each year from lung cancer when there has been so much education to the harmful
effects of smoking cigarettes? Why are millions of babies aborted and countless
sexually transmitted diseases occurring after extensive sex education programs?
Many factors contribute to the lack of progress in these and
other areas, but throwing more money and education at the problems is a scape
goat and a crutch.
There is a missing link which I sincerely believe comes from
the lack of wisdom.
Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness,
or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information,
descriptions, or skills, which is acquired through experience or education.
Wisdom, is the ability to think and
act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight.
Wisdom is associated with attributes such as compassion, experiential self-knowledge,
and virtues such as ethics and benevolence.
Those
are the formal dictionary definitions which we are familiar with. But where and
how do you get wisdom? Do you gain it in a class room? Through a seminar on
ethics or values? Just living life? Those activities might prove helpful, but
the great leaders I know (and they are very few) have a wisdom that comes from
a completely different source and consequently they have a view which is
unique. Because of their wisdom, they possess a world view that is different
and they have inherited a holistic view as a leader e.g. every aspect of their
life is “sourced” differently.
Here
is where I might lose some of you, but stay with me just a little longer. The
unique quality of a wise leader is found not in what he might learn, but who he
might learn it from and a specific word. That word is “fear!” That person, is the
creator of the universe. The word fear
means to be afraid, but it also means to reverence, show honor, to respect.
"For the fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of he Holy One is understanding” Proverbs 9:10
In
this politically correct world, people fear many things in their quest for
acceptance and success. People fear criticism, the HR department, their boss,
friends, family and co-workers. No longer do children fear the authority of
their parents, parents fear their kids!
But few fear God. Think about that. Do you fear God and all that
definition implies?
Most
people do not even give God much thought at all and if they do, they view Him
as kind of a benevolent Santa Claus, rewarding those who are nice, even those
who are naughty if they will just try a little harder. Do you doubt me? We just
passed the 2018 holiday of Christmas. How many of you reading this blog truly
considered the impact of that event had on this world, history and what the
birth of Christ was really all about? Do you just have an intellectual
understanding of Christmas, or do you have the wisdom to realize the
implications and consequences of that event that took place 2018 years ago and
how it affects your life and the world today?
Inclusion
is the catchword in today’s society, which dictates that you must not use your
mind, but rather, go along with groupthink. You should fear what others
might think of you if you challenge their values or behavior. Consequently,
today, not only can you not question a persons sexual or gender depraved
actions or identity, you must accept it. Here's a case example, look at
persecution in the public square against Chick-fil-A trying to do business in
Chicago and on university campuses.
I
know so many good people who are smart, educated and gifted in many areas. It
hurts me deeply that they stiff-arm (a football term) the source that will move
them to a new level of knowledge application i.e. wisdom. God’s word says,
“only a fool says in his heart there is no God.”
So
here’s my recommendation for 2019 in your gaining the needed ingredient for our
kids in school, parents raising these kids, politicians and aspiring holistic
leaders.
Ø
Study the lives of individuals who feared God and applied His
teaching to their personal growth and to the organizations they led. Here is a
brief list.
1.
Read the works of Bob Buford, Peter Drucker and C.S. Lewis,
businessmen, writers and educators who had extraordinary wisdom.
2.
S. Truett Cathy, Chick–fil-A – Read the book “It’s my pleasure”
3.
The Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby.
4.
Michael J. Lindell, founder of “My Pillow.”
5.
The Robertson family, “Duck Dynasty”
Ø
Read the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters. Read one
chapter per day. In a month you will have acquired the insights for wisdom.
Ø
Ask for it! “If any of
you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
C.S.
Lewis said “I believe in Christianity as I believe
that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
When
I was 48, my life turned completely around when I began to seek true wisdom. I
began to see everything more clearly and differently.
In 2019, join me in seeking
that unique quality that eludes so many.
I wish you a Happy and Wise
New Year!
For me, I want to grow wiser
as I get older and strive to Finish Well.
