Everything Should Have a Good Beginning

There is one thing that employees, employers, managers, investors, parents, students, leaders, children, gardeners, pilots, mountain climbers, and quarterbacks all have in common. They all need knowledge. However, knowledge must always flow from the right source or sources. There is nothing worse than having knowledge that is false, biased, or opinion-based. Would you want to have a pilot with incorrect knowledge and little wisdom? How about an employer with false beliefs about how the company will succeed and be sustainable? I think not.

When I saw this week’s Five-Minute Friday word my mind jumped to two things. The book of Genesis declares the truth about all beginnings. Then, the books of Proverbs and Psalms expand on beginning with “the fear of the Lord” as a beginning. Finally, Colossians 1:15-18 says that Jesus is the beginning and he is preeminent or the greatest.

Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom

If you fit in any of the groups I mentioned above, you will benefit from having knowledge related to your roles or activities. But it cannot stop there. You must then have understanding or comprehension of how the pieces work, fit together, and function within your realm. Ultimately, those two pieces are insufficient for success. Everyone ultimately needs wisdom to know how and when to apply the truth they have gained. Solomon, therefore, rightly gives us the pieces of the puzzle in a single sentence: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” Proverbs 4:7

Where Can I Get Wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” Psalm 111:10

True Wisdom Sees Jesus Clearly

Decisions are oftentimes made based on worldview foundations. If you have the wrong worldview, or false understanding of your purpose, your ending will not be what you envisioned at the beginning. Therefore, it is important to know Jesus as your Creator, Savior and Lord. Paul tells us who Jesus is.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Colossians 1:15-18

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.