Thirst for Wisdom

Confession: I'm struggling with a work situation.

In our current environment we are pioneers treading through dangerous territory. The valley of the shadow of death, if you will. My company is a tiny island of engineering refuge in a large, corporate world that is fraught with challenges. Our paths are uncharted. The natives are restless and not looking out for our best interest. Even our collective best interest. Morale amongst the natives is low and there are many amongst them who seem bent on our failure, probably with a mistaken belief that our failure will translate to their success.

That's the easy part of the situation. The tricky part is that a member of my small team is putting our mission at risk. His role is new, he's moving from engineer to manager. This is a challenge for anyone. Lots of good engineers have tried and failed in their efforts to make the transition.

The biggest problem seems to be that I'm delegating assignments that are either not getting done or, in order to get them done, I'm having to go two or three rounds of debate about whether they should be done.

Proverbs 14:23 "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads to poverty."

We have a lot of work to do, but our roles don't line up with the work needs. I sincerely need the help to get through what is currently on my plate. I don't want to spend more time debating the work than it would take to do the work myself.

Another problem is that when the ball I hand off is dropped, I'm getting excuses and lies by way of explanation. My temper is truly being tested in the face of squirrelly conversations, in the absence of straight answers, in the absence of responsibility being acknowledged.

Proverbs 14:29 "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly."

I'm trying to be patient as my patience is surely being tried. Lies and self-aggrandizement are poison in our well-water. We cannot survive if one of our members is bringing us into a pit.

Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."

The falsehoods told for whatever purpose, no matter how small they may seem, are a sin.

Proverbs 14:25 "A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful."

I could fill a volume with references to lies, deceit, false witnesses...and the Truth. Last night I updated my Twitter/Facebook status to say I'm "ignoring the lies and seeking the voice of Truth." If I ever doubted that God follows me in my social network, I will set those doubts aside. I sought and found a response.

"Say what you need to say."

Today I plan to say what I need to say. To say it openly, honestly, from my wide-open heart. To say it with love. To say it calmly with the Wisdom offered by the Spirit.

God, let your Holy Spirit be with me today. Give me the words and the patience to speak to the heart of the matter. Let me avoid the foolishness and folly that muddies the water so we can focus on your will. Help me to be your witness today and every day.

Amen.