What I Look for Most in a New Employee

Scripture: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Observation: The point of the entire book of Proverbs—that fearing God is the beginning of knowledge—is contrasted by a second statement, that those who despise wisdom are fools. Perhaps the core thing I have learned in the last few decades is how often people despise knowledge. They despise knowledge when they refuse to learn, when they stop growing, when they keep doing things their own way, when they ignore counsel, when they think they know it all. In other words, when they have lost teachability. In fact, teachability just might be my most prized trait when I am hiring someone. With it, there is not necessarily the guarantee of success, but without it, there is 100% chance of failure. I want people who never stop coming to God and others to learn and grow.

Application: I need to be teachable today on our staff retreat. One thing I am asking God for is the proper balance of confidence. I do not want to be so determined that I come off as dictatorial, but I also do not want to be so consensus-minded that I give no direction. I need God’s wisdom to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em today. Fearing God is the beginning of this balance.

Prayer: God, I yield control today to you. Would you guide me and grant me wisdom to lead this retreat? I need your spirit whispering in my ear to speak or be silent. To know the right questions. To listen and learn, and to know when to decide. I pray for all of our pastors today as well, that our number one desire would be to fear God and from that would spring a thirst for wisdom.