Daily Dose #34 (Monday, April 20, 2020)

Good day church family, and welcome to Daily Dose #34 for Monday, April 20.

A few weeks back in Daily Dose #20 on April 6 I included a resource I had received from Arrow Leadership.  Today, I want to include another resource that I received from them that I think is very helpful for us during these days.  I hope this is helpful for you and your context today.

Five Keys to Wisdom in Uncertain Times

Wisdom.  Do you need some as you live your life this week?  Wisdom is a critical need in uncertain times.  It’s a prerequisite and distinctive for those who desire to lead differently.  Wisdom is also something we can seek and find.  The following are five keys to help you lead with wisdom.

Ask for it.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  This may seem basic, but much of how we live our lives is about doing the basics well.

Get good information.  Information is powerful.  In crisis times, there is sometimes too much, not enough, rapidly changing or even misinformation.  We need to seek and find as much reliable information as possible in order to guide good decisions.  Beware of being paralyzed from seeking too much information but try not to make important decisions without it.

Give your head the space it needs.  Media and social media can be constant, addictive and overwhelming in the midst of uncertainty.  To live different, we need a clear head.  Give your head the space it needs.  If you are an internal processor, get some quiet space to think.  Take a walk around the block to process.  If you are an external processor, find some wise colleagues with whom you can process out loud.

Invite input.  Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”  Whom do you need to gather around you for additional input these days?  There may be people with valuable input who just need to be invited to give you their insights.  Sometimes outside eyes and ears can help you think and see things you can’t and won’t see about priorities and practicalities in life.

Discern focus words.  Imagine this situation or season is over.  As you look back on this challenging time, what are the words or phrases that you would like to be able to say about how you handled it?  Take time to identify these words and phrases.  Then use them as a filter and focus words for your decisions and actions now.  For instance, if “bless/serve” is one of your ideal focus words, how can you “bless/serve” in this moment or decision right now?

In these eventful days, may the Lord give us wisdom each and every day as we seek to follow Him and live a life that honours Him.