The Mind of the Discerning

Let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5 NIV

What is the one distinguishing trait needed to succeed in today’s workplace? I am sure you could mention a long list of possibilities. They may include graduating from a top-tier university, family connections, influence network, academic excellence, personality characteristics or just plain luck.  They may be a mixture of these or any one of a thousand others. CEO Michael’s observation is that the best employees consistently share one trait, “intellectual curiosity.”

Insatiable curiosity sets apart the greatest leaders from everyone else. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is known for his voracious reading habit. Google recruiter Nolan Church said, “What continuous learners do is they connect old ideas in new ways, citing Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’s decision to combine cell phones and iPods into an iPhone. One of Indeed CEO Chris Hyams’ favorite interview questions is, “What are you insanely curious about?” Or, alternatively, “What do you care deeply about?” (Info from an Ashton Jackson article)

Scripture would validate Ramlet’s one trait, “intellectual curiosity,” not for workplace acclamation, but for living life that ultimately leads to Kingdom impact.  “ The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.” Prov 18:15

Scripture celebrates continuous learning as a gift that deepens our relationship with God and enriches our daily life. Our growth in God’s knowledge creates a hunger in us to know more of what God is doing in and around us. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Prov 2:6

We read about Daniel and his friends in a foreign land, far from home, having been taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel had a choice to either take the easy path and adapt to his captors’ ways or stay true to God. He chose the more difficult path, staying true to God and His ways.  His passion for God and his commitment to grow in knowledge set him apart.  “In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.”  Daniel 1:20-21

Joshua when facing the difficult challenges of assuming the leadership role after Moses’ death was told by God to be strong and courageous. How? “ To observe carefully the whole instruction.” God’s word provides us with the “why” that lets us do the “how.”  “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Joshua 1:8

We are encouraged to grow in knowledge, not for personal affirmation or even success but to be transformed into godly people that will make an impact for the Kingdom. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Let this traditional African saying on wisdom encourage you in your pursuit of continuous curiosity. “Wisdom is the finest beauty of a person.  Money does not prevent you from becoming blind. Money does not prevent you from becoming mad. Money does not prevent you from becoming lame. You may be ill in any part of your body, so it is better for you to go and think again and to select wisdom. Come and sacrifice, that you may have rest in your body, inside and out.”

”Get wisdom—how much better it is than gold! And get understanding—it is preferable to silver.” Proverbs 16:16

If the number one trait for the best employee is intellectual curiosity then out of our passion for God, we never want to stop growing in our knowledge and truth.  We will learn lots from the books we read, the people we interact with, and even our Google searches.  However, God has provided us His unlimited and available wisdom. Knowledge and information are great but the wisdom God provides is life changing.  “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

We arrive today after three weeks in Kenya. It has been an incredible journey walking with the folks in Eldoret, Kenya. God is working in some amazing ways and we are so thankful to be part of this community of faith. I plan on sharing in next week’s post a few insights from this time.

God is great!