Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. –Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)
Some time ago, as I was driving down the road, a fellow driver pulled up next to me and motioned for me to roll down my window. My thoughts raced. I didn’t think I had cut him off, missed a light, or gone too slow. What had I done? With trepidation, I rolled down my window without any indication of the problem. The driver, friendlier than expected, informed me that my back right brake light was out.
As I drove away, I became aware that I would never have known my brake light was out without that person making the effort to tell me. I needed someone with a different viewpoint and angle to see what I couldn’t. I would have continued to drive unaware of any problem. The busted light was in a spot I could not see.
You and I both have blind spots in our lives don’t we? Just like the driver who helped me on the road, the Lord uses other people in our lives to give us wisdom and correction. It is easy to get so caught up in me, that I am blind to all else. Perhaps it is blindness to the Lord’s will. Maybe I can’t see how my actions are affecting others. Or, I may be blind to see how the Lord wants me to change and grow. What a blessing that the Lord puts others ahead of us, behind us, and with us each step of the way.
With a different angle and viewpoint, others are able to sharpen us and help us grow. Sometimes it can be hard to listen to the advice others offer. It is so important to listen carefully to the advice and wisdom of the godly people God has placed in our lives. The insight of others will help us make our way wisely through life’s journey.
In the same way, we must be willing as Christians to help point out blind spots to others around us. Pray that the Lord would use you to speak lovingly and with humility, into someone else’s life. Seek out the wisdom He has waiting for you. Just make sure you are able to season the truth with grace.
The proverbs speak again and again about a foolish man versus a wise man. It is a wise man that listens to the correction of others. Only a fool ignores it.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What makes it difficult at times to take correction from another?
2. Has there been a time in your life when someone lovingly pointed out one of your blind spots to you? How did you react?
FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 11:2; Romans 11:33-36