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What does it take to follow through with God’s initiatives? One suggestion is to surround yourself with people who take their life and their God-ordained purpose seriously. Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” You become like who you hang out with!
Be on the lookout for people who are going where God wants you to be. Look for wise people and get as close to them as you can.
This can even be done by reading books. That is why I love reading biographies. I read about people whose lives made a positive difference on their world. I read about people who overcame adversity, who stayed the course, who refused to accept failure as their destiny, who would not make excuses for falling short of their dreams. Hanging around people like that has a tendency to rub off.
I have dreams of running a 10K. I am not there yet. My travel schedule and aging body have conspired against me. I have run several 5Ks, but almost never on my own. Whenever I go for a practice run around my neighborhood, I inevitably wimp out. After a mile or so, I start thinking that I need to walk for a bit, to catch my breath. After another half mile, I decide I need to walk up that hill. A quarter mile farther, I decide maybe I should just do a hard walk back to my house. When I am alone, I can come up with all manner of creative excuses why I should fall short of my goal, just this one time.
The last time I ran a full 5K, was when I was trotting alongside my very pregnant daughter Carrie. Seeing her overcome her physical discomfort made me ashamed to slow down or walk. If she could do it, surely I could, too. And I did. I even came in ahead of her. However, the next time I jogged on my own, I took a break or two along the way. I know I can do it physically, but my mind constantly conspires against me.
That’s why the writer of Proverbs urges us to align ourselves with those who are determined to go to the same places we are headed. Other people inspire and encourage us. For years, I met with a group of men on a regular basis to encourage one another to persevere in what God had called us to do.
I also encourage people to do what I call, “customized mentoring.” That is, actively look for people you can learn from. Don’t expect them to meet with you regularly. Invite people to lunch and pepper them with questions during this valuable time.
Be someone who asks more questions than they make statements. Doggedly search for those you can learn from. Be humble enough to admit you still have much to learn.
I did this when I was a new pastor. I had a friend named Bob who was much more experienced than I was. He had a great Chinese buffet restaurant near his church. We’d go there and I’d find out how to conduct weddings or funerals. I knew some men who had done an outstanding job raising their children. I’d regularly pepper them with questions, so I had new ideas for what to do with my kids. I was never too proud to get a new idea that might make my family better.
If you have become complacent or defeatist about your current condition, find some different people to hang out with. Look for people who are determined to experience God’s best for their life, their work, and their family. Find people for whom excuses don’t cut it. Search for those who will prove to you that perseverance pays off and that you have what it takes.
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 | Richard Blackaby is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and lives in Georgia. He travels internationally speaking on spiritual leadership in the home, church, and marketplace as well as on spiritual awakening, experiencing God, and the Christian life. Richard regularly ministers to Christian CEOs and business leaders. He has written or co-authored 33 books . This article was first published on RichardBlackaby.com. Used with permission from Blackaby Ministries International. Learn More » |
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