No one likes it, correction that is. No one. It’s rarely ever welcome. It’s never comfortable. It grates against our (human) nature to be reminded that there is much outside our finite grasp of understanding. We want to believe that we’ve “arrived,” that we’ve lived long enough and been through enough to have all the answers. The truth is that no earth-dwelling beings can rely totally on their own understanding (Prov. 3:5). To do so is folly.

During a sermon series on leadership, I heard a pastor say, “Whom would you rather follow? Of course, you’d rather follow someone who knows exactly where they are going and how they are going to get there.” 

This comment troubled me. I kept thinking of the verse that says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

My heart’s reply was to say, “No. I’d rather follow someone who doesn’t assume such knowledge. I want my leader to demonstrate genuine humility, someone who is empty of self and is daily on his knees seeking God’s wisdom, grace, and sovereign leadership.”

There’s nothing scarier than someone who runs ahead of God in misguided self-confidence. How do I know? I’ve tried it. Epic fail.

Our ultimate example in everything is our Lord Jesus. Now there’s someone Who, without a doubt, knew where He was going and how He was going to get there. Even with His divine insight, Jesus spent hours alone in prayer to humbly seek His Father’s guidance and wisdom in all circumstances. 

I think of Abraham. God spoke clearly to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar. Abraham responded with mind-blowing obedience. But, thankfully, Abraham was ever listening for the voice of God. Just prior to lowering the knife on his son, Abraham heard the angel of the Lord say, “Abraham! Do not lay a hand on your son.” This was a change of direction. If Abraham had not been a humble man with an ear to hear, he would have confidently continued in a tragic direction.

What’s at question here is not necessarily confidence. The question is – in what or whom are we confident? The object of our confidence is an essential differentiation. Are we relying on our education, our business experience, a business blueprint, a demographic study, what’s worked in other churches, the world’s values or social parameters, or our own reasoning? Or are we relying on God’s Word, God’s voice, and God’s leading in all things? Do we have a humble heart and an ear to hear?

Here is my point with this blog. We all should be confident and obedient, yet we must be sincerely open to correction which may lead to a humbling change of direction.

I write out of the fullness of my heart and in the hope that I am obedient to His call on my life. I receive affirming comments about my blogs, and I appreciate them more than words can express. But you must know that I am also quite open to correction. I must be.

To believing readers – please correct me. I take no personal pride in what I write. If your heart is ever troubled by something I have written, I want to know. You have the same Holy Spirit in you that I have in me, and I want to hear from you if you believe I have erred. I assume no greater wisdom. I will sincerely and prayerfully ponder your words. I will search the Scriptures and my heart. I will make corrections, if necessary. This is how I am stretched; this is how I grow. This is what I need.

I long to hear from you.

Joy in Jesus,

Jacquee