Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. –Will Rogers
Every day we make many judgment calls. Some of these are larger than others. Who do I hire or invite to fill a key volunteer position? When do I launch an initiative I am passionate about? Who do I include for counsel on a key decision?
When I look back at some of the judgment calls I made in my early years, I am astounded, especially as it related to hiring decisions. How could I have been so blind, so shortsighted, and so unwise?
So let me encourage you:
- Continue your prayerful process of discernment (get wise counsel, move slowly, be clear about expectations, etc.).
- Do a low risk, “test “run whenever possible.
- Relax and don’t beat yourself up. You will make mistakes, especially in your first 10-15 years! You will learn good judgment – but it will come out of your costly failures.
I wish there were another way to mature into a discerning, prudent leader as described in Proverbs. But, as far as I know, this is God’s chosen way of forming dependent, patient, broken, and prayerful servants.
You and I are imperfect. We are human beings, not God. So we will always make mistakes here on earth. But thankfully, these can diminish over time – if we learn from them.
