Faith Venture

How do you make decisions? Do you collect information, weigh it, make an informed decision? Do you just go with a fast “hunch?” Do you collect information, then collect more information, then analyze, then collect more information…?

Consider a couple of Proverbs. “Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisors they succeed.” (15:22) “Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.” (11:14)

While I can make a quick decision when necessary, I prefer not to do that. I absorb information from many sources, some may not even realize they are advising, before doing many thing. Especially in business planning.

It’s important to realize that the Proverb only tells you to get advice–preferably from a number (abundance) of sources. It doesn’t tell you that you can blame them if things go wrong. We are all still responsible for our decisions.

Bill Hybels of the Willow Creek Community Church recently talked about the need for discernment with advice. He referred to Rehoboam, son of Solomon who became the fourth king of Israel. When he became king, the people who had suffered under the hard work and high taxes of David and Solomon while they built the Temple and palaces petitioned him for relief. He sought advice from two sources–the older generation of his father’s advisors and a group contemporary to him. He picked the wrong one (the young ones) and destroyed the work of his father and grandfather. Following a rebellion, the northern 10 tribes split from the southern two leaving him with just a remnant of the former powerful state.

When you are facing a decision, gather advice from a number of trusted sources. Don’t stop there. Also consult God. Then make your decision knowing that you’ll have to live with it.

By the way, I’m in Philadelphia this week. The “city of brotherly love.” Although Philadelphia seems to be more known by the absence of that trait–at least among its sports fans–I pray that after this ridiculously bitter election season Americans can start to exhibit a little more brotherly love if not even agape love. And I am so happy to see my reader and friend from Brazil this week. Safe travels home!

When I was an adolescent, those three words–maturity, responsibility and discipline–were anathema. They spoke of stodgy old people, not to vibrant, young, liberated people. I probably reflected my generation. Probably lots of generations of adolescents.

Even as early as the 60s, sociologists were writing about how American society was prolonging adolescence in its young. I think maybe other societies are doing that today.

The president of the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association, Angelia Erbaugh, told me yesterday at a small regional trade show held just north of Dayton that manufacturers are looking for people to hire. Trouble is they need people that meet two criteria. The first requirement is for the appropriate technical skills. The second relates to maturity–willing to show up for work every day, able to pass a drug test, able to work with others.

This started me thinking about maturity, but the post I had in mind I had already written. However both of those criteria fit my central focus of developing Spiritual Disciplines, or put another way, Spiritual Practices.

First, we have to accept responsibility for ourselves and our actions. We have to make responsible decisions. Getting an appropriate education is our responsibility–not society’s or our parent’s. We must develop the practice of study and learning.

Getting up every day and working is a human need and requirement for survival. It’s a basic step in maturity. Almost everyone can do this. For those few who cannot for reason of disability or otherwise, then we as a society should help them out. Most of us just need to “suck it up” and go do something.

Paul says when he was a child, he acted like a child. When he grew up, he put aside childish ways. We should go and do likewise.