Competence

 

Wednesday Jun 19^th 2024

There have been several deep conversations that bring me to today’s word: COMPETENCE.

First, there have been conversations about graduates – they are out looking for jobs and trying to get “the dream job”. Yet they are finding that employers want them to start at the bottom – which is, by the way, where (IMHO) one should start. Learn all the things and the stuff and gain competency and experience along the way.

Then there are conversations about those of us on the other end of the journey. We need to share our competency – our knowledge and experience – with those who have not yet traveled as far. What good is all this accumulated knowledge if we keep it to ourselves? It is meant for sharing!

Most importantly have been conversations about faith. Is it meant for sharing? Or to “keep it personal”? (Here’s a hint – share it!) And in sharing, does one (do I) need to know absolutely everything? (Another hint – the answer is “no”.) By studying, by praying, and by listening to the stories and experiences of those who have traveled farther we gain competence.

In all of these instances, we gain competence by being a student and we share competence by being an example. And with competence comes confidence!

A few stumbles along the way, a fair number of boring classes and meetings, and more than a few course corrections are all expected on the journey to competence in whatever area of your life. Yet there is no substitute for experience – trying, doing, falling, failing, starting again, watching the example of those ahead, reaching back to help those following - to achieve competence (and confidence).

Begin the journey!

Blame vs Accountability

 

Wednesday June 12^th 2024

Some weeks just seem to have a theme. This week’s theme is BLAME.

On Sunday we read the Genesis story of Adam and Eve eating from the tree from which they were told not to eat. Each one placed blame on the next: Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. No one took responsibility for their own actions. (See Genesis 13)

How many of us, when something happens, place the blame on someone – or something – other than ourself?

One of my common ones in the past year or so has been the typing of a wrong letter on my phone. Truth be told, it is my “fat fingering” and not the fault of the phone or even auto-correct. In fact, my phone will no longer correct some of my common mistakes! Yet I often say “stupid phone” or “annoying autocorrect” when those mistakes appear.

So, in balance, I would offer you a better word for this week: ACCOUNTABILITY.

Let’s make a conscious effort to accept responsibility for our actions, make corrections, request forgiveness when necessary, and step away from the blame game. Be an example to others as we live a lifestyle of accountability.