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The Pressure of Leadership

Few things in life are as intimidating as stepping into shoes once worn by legends. When Tim Floyd took over the Chicago Bulls following Phil Jackson's reign, he crumbled under the weight of expectations with a .205 winning percentage. The same thing happened to Andrew Johnson who succeeded Abraham Lincoln as president, and ended up as the first impeached U.S. president. In business, we have the example of Gil Amelio, who took over Apple from Steve Jobs. Apple's stock plummeted and the company lost hundreds of millions as result. The task of living up to these kind enormous expectations are not for the faint of heart.

King Solomon, who succeeded his father, David, as the King of Israel, faced a similar scenario. David was not just a King, but a larger-than-life figure who united Israel and won respect from surrounding nations. Solomon had to follow this act, in the wake of a looming rebellion spearheaded by his older brother, Adonijah. Despite being born into great wealth and influence, the question remained, how could Solomon rule justly without succumbing to the same fate as others before him who failed under the great pressure of leadership?

Perhaps you can relate to this. Maybe you're trying to navigate through the complexities of life, afraid of repeating past mistakes, or those of your parents. Or are you worried about dreams that now appear out of reach, or uncertain about your future. What can guide us through these fears?

The Guide of Wisdom

Solomon found his guide in wisdom. He was granted a wish by God, an opportunity many of us dream about - the proverbial genie in a lamp. Instead of asking for materialistic success or victory over his enemies, Solomon requested an "understanding heart" to rule God's people justly, showcasing his realization of his limitations and the value of divine wisdom.

Heeding the advice from Proverbs 3:7, "Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil," Solomon sought the wisdom that leads to knowing God. In return, God was pleased with his humble request and blessed him with unparalleled wisdom. He also gave him unasked-for riches and fame, resulting in Solomon's reign marking the zenith of Israel's influence as a kingdom.

The example of Solomon show the importance and the rewards of seeking wisdom over materialistic gains.

What is Your Top Priority?

We see this also displayed in the words of Jesus. In Matthew 6:33 (NIV) he says,“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” As a young person, I decided to trust this principle and made seeking wisdom my highest goal. I began reading Proverbs everyday. In the process I realized my need for God, and made my relationship with Him became my top priority.

Ultimately, the pursuit of wisdom that leads to knowing God is invaluable, for it holds the key to success and happiness. As King Solomon's life exemplifies, when we chase wisdom and understanding, we're rewarded with much more than we seek. In my life, I have seen seeking wisdom help me prioritize everything else in my life. This has broken patterns and set me up for multiply blessings that I see paying off in the lives of my daughters.

What are you doing to make wisdom a priority? I suggest start with reading a chapter of Proverbs every day for a month (there is a chapter for each day of the month) and see how it impacts your life. I like to focus on a new theme each month and meditate on what God is speaking to me through it.

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