Do you do what you are told the first time? Or do you have to be told multiple times? Do you expect everyone else to do what you tell them the first time you tell them? How do you feel if they don’t? How many times does God need to tell you what he wants you to do?
In our individualistic society, we think we know better than anyone else. We don’t want to be told what to do, unless we want someone else to blame for things going wrong. If we ask what we should do, it is usually to confirm what we think we should do, not to get advice.
Coming together for the purpose of collective wisdom is rare. Our meetings are often filled with point and counterpoint and the one who speaks the loudest or is most insistent often has their suggestion implemented. Nothing about that is seeking the collective wisdom of the group. It is all about the individual, being competitive, and winning an argument.
We have forgotten collective wisdom is a means to make wise choices, keep us from making mistakes. In addition, we have migrated toward having people of like mind in our groups rather than diversity. It is through the diverse ways of looking at things that we often find our best options and solutions.
Not doing something we don’t want to do isn’t new. Jonah also did not want to do what God told him to do. However, God gave him a second chance and Jonah obeyed. Jonah discovered something we often say, “God’s plan is not my plan.” Yet, Jonah didn’t like it; and we often don’t either. Despite whether we like God’s plan or not, we need to obey as Jonah did. Yes, it took God telling him a second time, but Jonah finally obeyed. Rather than continuing to disobey, we need to accept God’s plan just as Jonah did.
I pray we all seek collective wisdom. I pray we listen for God’s plan in the diversity of suggestions presented. I pray each one of us decide to obey God’s plan just as Jonah did. Participate in collective wisdom. Listen for God’s plan. Obey God’s commands. Follow God’s plan.
Jonah 3:1-2 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.”
Marty Pressey 