I Seek Wisdom
My prayer journal entry from Friday, February 12th, 2021.
I’m not one to pretend like I know it all. I don’t. Truthfully, I consider myself a “slightly above average” leader. Maybe a B to a B+. That’s better than the leader I was a decade a go and that’s better than the decade before. It’s not like I’ve built some mega company or anything. And I definitely haven’t inspired a movement or revolution of any kind. I’m a 41 year old (yes, I know. Almost 42.) guy that’s still trying to figure it all out.
I seek wisdom.
If there is one thing that I think I have done well, it’s seeking wisdom. In fact, having the WHOA GNV Podcast was one of the many ways I would gain deep business wisdom. Bring a guest in, hear their story, dive in deep and ask lots of questions. You give the guest lots of value through exposure and high quality content, but I get a free education. Win-win.
With all that said, however, the greatest wisdom I receive is from those that are closest to me and those that know God. My family. My close friends. Most importantly, my wife.
[Added notes and elaboration are italicized…]
Friday, February 12th, 2021 11:16a NS4L Office
Jesus,
I just finished meeting with my friend [friend’s name] on Zoom. His wisdom, his stories, his experiences, his faith are so admirable to me. I want to be more like him. We want to be more like you.
[The person in this prayer no longer lives in Gainesville, but he was really there for me during this low season in my business. God will bring people into your life, even if just for seasons, for times like this. One of the best things I used to pray for during these times was for God to deliver the right resources and put the right people in my path. I knew He had the ability to dump money in my lap at anytime (and sometimes He did… the PPP for example), but ultimately… what would I learn if that’s all He did? I’d rather pray for 1,000,000 resources, mentors, friends (wisdom) over $1,000,000 any day. I recognized this person as a gift from God and I’m so grateful.]
Forgive my sins that distract and pull me away from you. I want to be close to you. LORD, I continue to pray that you will speak to me more clearly than ever before. I want to live in accordance to your will. Sometimes I feel I have clarity and then I feel muddy. Am I second guessing your wishes? I hope not. PLEASE make your will PERFECTLY CLEAR. Speak in ways that I know it is you talking to me.
[As I was reflecting on this prayer and writing this blog post, I realized something (I love when God does that, by the way). I realized that there are times in life where God makes the path absolutely clear. For example, I picture the Israelites following a pillar of fire as they left Egypt and were guided by God to the Promised Land. I picture the disciples literally walking behind Jesus (“Follow Me”) as He guided them on their journeys. Can’t get much clearer than that! Today, through the Holy Spirit, there are times I knew EXACTLY what I was supposed to do. Then, there were times where I wasn’t so clear. I ask myself now… Did the decision matter as long as I was putting God first? I think that God wants us to take a step and simply TRUST that He has got us. If He is in control of the path, can we really get off of it if we are putting him first and trusting him?]
I am going to meet with [competitor’s name] tonight from [competitor’s business]. Let me leave that meeting with clarity. I’m going to see if Shannon can meet me for dinner after. I’d love to get more feedback and thoughts from her on all this. [My friend] recommended this. Shannon is amazing in that she really supports me in whatever direction I take, but I’d love her true input. I love her so much.
[The best advisors are the one’s closest to us. Shannon has always had a “it’s your business” mindset and I love that she gives me so much freedom to just make the decision that is best for our family. Still, when trying to make a decision around something as large as selling and/or closing the business property, etc., having a deep dive conversation with my wife is important to me.]
I know I sound like a broken record. More clarity. More clarity. More clarity. I truly want to do what you want me to do, LORD. Speak.
Thank you for the meetups, connections, and future collaborations that spark from this week. Meeting [an individual that works at the University of Florida] was an absolute pleasure. I’ve rarely stopped and prayed at the end of a meeting like that, but it was powerful, especially with a stranger I just met.
[As often happens, I connect and meet with Gainesville business professionals I have never met before. One of my favorite blessings that came during the pandemic were more one to one meetups. Many people didn’t feel comfortable being in large groups, but didn’t mind getting together at the shop for a one-to-one meeting. I actually prefer this as opposed to a large networking event as it allowed for more meaningful business relationship building and no small talk like you often get at a networking event where someone is simply trying to hand out as many business cards as possible. This individual works at UF and is responsible for connecting UF to local businesses for potential business opportunities. Upon completing our meeting, I asked her if I could pray over it and I did. This is something I have normally been uncomfortable doing in the past, especially with a complete stranger, but the Holy Spirit was leading and it was great. One of my prayers is that I will be more bold and courageous to do this more.]
Meeting and brainstorming with [name] from St. Francis House, let ripples be made from that. Of course meeting with [list of names] and others at Tech City. Let your will be done through these seeds planted. I look forward to what grows.
[I love meeting, helping, and building new relationships, God’s greatest gifts are in these.]
I love you so much.
Collin
Today’s final thoughts
How are you seeking wisdom?
Are you in God’s Word regularly? I wish I would have spent more daily time in the Bible in my past. I actually read the Bible cover to cover for the first time just a couple of years ago. Today, I spend lots of quality time there. If you have any interest in studying what I am studying, I am committing to listening, reading, and studying along with this 66/40 podcast in 2024…. It’s a deep dive, with thorough explanations and teaching. Join me and chat with me about it on IG.
My Bible often looks like this now, lol! I love it…
Do you have a mentor? I know I have written previously about the fact you will become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, but do you have a mentor? Seek mentorship from someone that has more experience than you and loves Jesus.
I’m often asked, “How do you find a mentor?” My answer is simple… Who do you really look up to and admire that knows God? Now, how could you help that person, even in a little way? The best mentorships are when both people can serve one another. Then, you ask. :)
I’m writing this as my first blog post in 2024. Resolutions and goals are always at the top of people’s minds at the start of the year, so my question is… What are you going to do less of in 2024 and what are you going to do more of? (Are you taking the appropriate measures to hold yourself accountable to those throughout the year?) Here’s my list…
I’ve also committed them to Jesus in my prayer journal… (It will be fun to write this out down the road as a future blog post and talk about it)… Here’s a preview…
(Maybe I should add ‘stop biting my nails,’ lol…)
I wish you and yours a wonderful 2024! I know there are a lot of nerves about what this year holds. Things feel unsettled and unstable. The world is a mess. However, I know that God is in control and I hope that we all will find peace in that! There is no better time to be in God’s word! Dive in.
God bless you guys!
Collin
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