Leadership 101: Know Where the Wisdom Is!

As we continue this segment on leadership, we want to deal with one tool that every leader needs – that is wisdom. There are hundreds of thousands of preparation programs available to thrust people into leadership for every facet of our lives – leading in the corporate world, the world of education, the world of medicine – and so on… There is no shortage of “how-to” programs – and yet few of them even realize that the way most of us get wisdom – is to live long enough, make enough mistakes, and recognize that our first response is usually not the wisest one.

If we go to our life treasury that gives vivd illustrations of those who were wise and those who weren’t – we can find some things clearly depicted – so clear in fact that only a fool can miss them. God’s Word plainly gives us WISDOM! And for any leader who aspires to be wise, a good place to start the training ground is to look at the story of a young man who was in training, being trained by one who had first-hand learned that all the education in the world could not touch the wisdom of God!

In 1 Timothy, Paul’s admonition to Timthy about wisdom reads:

16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

Paul recognized that the wise lessons that he had learned, which he knew were a pattern for those who would come behind him were from “the all wise God” – who alone deserved the honor and glory! We are wise if we profit from the lessons of life, but it is the mercy of God that enables us to do so.

Paul recognized the greatest truth that we as a leader can acknowledge – that Jesus came into the world to save sinners – and the one who is the greatest sinner – is US! This si wisdom – to know that it was the mercy and grace of God that took us off the road of destruction that we are all on – and through love and patience picks us up and places on a street called Straight!

Can’t improve on how Paul said it:

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. .. Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.1 Timothy 1:16-18 (NLT)

True Wisdom – Selah!
Maria