Discovering the Wisdom to Be Yourself

To have the wisdom to be yourself, and not take on what others or your ego want you to be, that is the challenge for leaders and many organizations. It is when we step outside of ourselves that we are on shaky ground for all kinds of pain and consequences.

Consider this parable from the book of Judges:

Jotham’s Parable

When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted,
“Listen to me, citizens of Shechem!
Listen to me if you want God to listen to you!

Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king.

First they said to the olive tree,
‘Be our king!’
But the olive tree refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the olive oil
that blesses both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’

“Then they said to the fig tree,
‘You be our king!’
But the fig tree also refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing my sweet fruit
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’

“Then they said to the grapevine,
‘You be our king!’
But the grapevine also refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the wine
that cheers both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’

“Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said,
‘Come, you be our king!’

And the thornbush replied to the trees,
‘If you truly want to make me your king,
come and take shelter in my shade.
If not, let fire come out from me
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’ ” – Judges 9:7-15 (NLT)

How absurd is it for trees to find shelter under a bush? What pain would be caused by trying to press yourself under a thornbush? How absurd it is to think that the flames from a bush could take down a whole forest? The parable makes clear the folly, pain and potential devastation that follows from asking people to live outside of their sweet spot, gifting, and calling. It also is a challenge to organizations that are desperate to “fill a hole on their team.”

Let’s commit ourselves to honoring people for who God has made them to be – their talents, developed skills, calling, and experience. Let’s commit to honoring ourselves for who God has made us to be – our talents, developed skills, calling, and experience.

We’d love to help you clarify how God has wired you, help you lean in to that fully, and avoid the folly of developing an ego that will cause yourself and others pain.