THE POWER OF DIRECTION 2

"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” - Roy Disney 

A follow up on the subject matter of direction we began to discuss about a month ago. Please recall first of all that it is essential to have a firm grip on importance of DIRECTION.

More so that instructions are a powerful provider of direction. But much more than that, if direction were to be a "high rise" building that we intend to construct, then we definitely need the right foundation with the capacity to carry and sustain what we want to build. That foundation is VALUES.

According to Jeannette Buller Slater, “Values answer the question: ‘Who are you?’ They are deeply held convictions, priorities, and underlying assumptions that influence your attitudes and behaviors. Core values describe the unique way people in an organization work and relate to one another.” For humans, some things have always been more important than others. That is why we value people, ideas, activities and objects according to their significance in our lives.

Values are often unwritten assumptions that guide our actions. Values demonstrate our convictions and priorities. Values are confirmed by our actions, not just our words. Values are not a doctrinal statement; they are convictions that determine how our church
operates. Values provide the foundation for formulating goals and setting the direction. On April 14, 1912, 10:00 pm. the Titanic crashed into an iceberg in the mid-Atlantic and four hours later sank. One woman in a life boat asked if she could go back to her room. She was given only three minutes to do so. She hurried down the corridors, already tilting dangerously, through the gambling room piled ankle-deep in money. In her room were her treasures waiting to be taken, but instead, she snatched up three oranges and hurried back to the boat. One hour before she would have naturally chosen diamonds over oranges, but in the face of pending danger and death, values are seen more clearly.

This is where the journey begins. Folks go about seeking out ways to go about stuff, but are already programmed against the right direction by default; as a result of their value system. So no matter how well directed they get by anyone, the just end up, not following. They are challenged; they are building on the wrong foundation. That is why, “Never compromise your values” Steve Maraboli declared. For it is difficult to teach our children “tolerance” if our leaders and rulers constantly insult those with whom they disagree.

Reflecting on our wisdom nugget, values are indeed the way to go to the city.