Value Wise Counsel

I’ve been mentored by some wonderful leaders over the years. Their encouragement, challenges, criticism, and timely discipline have enabled me to grow and mature. From godly parents and inspirational teachers to leaders in church and the workplace, I’m immensely grateful for their wise counsel. It can be easy to criticize those in authority, but a wise friend once challenged me to prioritize learning from and valuing them.

If you could spend a day with a wise person, who would it be and what would you ask? King Solomon’s famous wisdom not only brought honor to God, it also allowed him to influence every nation on earth as kings sent their ambassadors to learn from him (1 Kings 4:29-33). When news of Solomon’s depth of understanding and abundant wealth reached the Queen of Sheba, she traveled a long distance to meet him and see if his wisdom was all she’d heard it was (1 Kings 10:1).

Her journey wasn’t in vain. She spoke with Solomon about many things, and he answered all her questions. Nothing was too difficult for him to explain to her. Overwhelmed (1 Kings 10:2-5), she gushed, “Everything I heard in my country about your achievements and wisdom is true! . . . How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom!” (1 Kings 10:6-8).

What a blessing it is to have access to wise counsel! Just as the Queen of Sheba recognized the value of learning from the wise, may we never take those who challenge and inspire us for granted. God can use wise leaders to help us become who He created us to be. And if you’re in a position of authority but feel that you lack wisdom, then ask God, and He’ll provide what you need (James 1:5).

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”