Wisdom and Affirmation….DeMarco Banter

I can’t recall where I first heard the question…but it has haunted me for quite some time now. “Where do you get your wisdom and affirmation?”

wis·dom [wiz-duh m] noun

1.The quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

af·fir·ma·tion [af-er-mey-shuh n] noun

1. the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.

2. the assertion that something exists or is true.

3. something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.

4. confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.

It seems this is a question one should be readily able to answer. I have asked several leaders that I consider “wise” and have yet to get the a-ha answer. I personally can point to my faith–and Biblical reading and research, but that answer still seems to leave me wanting. Prayer is a positive step as well…but it feels as if there is still more to the answer.

I came across the verse below this AM in the Maxwell Leadership Bible…not sure it is the answer I was looking for, but there is a great possibility…there is no easy answer. Maybe this is more about method?

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

²All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.

³Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established. -Proverbs 16:1-3

John Maxwell mentions the Law of Navigation from his “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.”

4. The Law of Navigation.
Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. Vision is defined as the ability to see the whole trip before leaving the dock. A leader will also see obstacles before others do. A leader sees more, sees farther, and sees before others. A navigator (leader) listens – he finds out about grassroots level reactions. Navigators balance optimism with realism. Preparation is the key to good navigation. “It’s not the size of the project, it’s the size of the leader that counts.”

Navigation incorporates vision, strategy, planning, and execution. The vision represents the mental model or picture of the desired end-state. The strategy provides the approach and the plan captures the considerations of all aspects potentially affecting the attainment of the goal. Those leaders that follow the law of navigation, see more than, see farther than, and see before others do.

So perhaps the Law of Navigation, combined with Proverbs 16:1-3 tells me Wisdom comes over time…and with planning and prayer. Through wisdom comes affirmation. Maxwell says I need to:

1: Check the sources of my wisdom
2: Check my motives
3: Check the outcome I am pursuing

Maxwell also offers 5Ps in search of Wisdom and Affirmation

Process: God’s plan unfolds over time…what is He revealing progressively?

Purpose: God wants to accomplish His purposes and there is a reason why I was created–find it and execute it ruthlessly

Potential: God will use my gifts and passion

Prioritize: God will ask me to adjust my time and energy…listen

Proceed: God will eventually require me to act…

Well… not sure all those dots above are connected…but there in lies the 2020 challenge… looks like the year of developing wisdom and affirmation…my three words for the year…Learn, Live, Hope…