Over the next few days, I will have the privilege of presenting relational wisdom to congressional and military leaders in our nation’s capital. I’m both humbled and excited about this opportunity to share the wisdom principles of God’s Word with men and women who have devoted their lives to serving our nation.
Wednesday evening, I am leading an interactive discussion on relational wisdom at one of the Senate Office Buildings. We will begin by reflecting on the exceptional relational skills of Abraham Lincoln and how his example can inspire and guide political leaders today.
We will then contrast Lincoln’s example with sobering studies that reveal the corrupting influence of power. As an article in the Atlantic reported, “People under the influence of power act as if they have suffered a traumatic brain injury – becoming more impulsive, less risk-aware, and, crucially, less adept at seeing things from other people’s perspective.”
We will then explore ways that the six skills of relational wisdom can be used to counteract the corrupting effects of power and enable leaders to honor God, reverse political polarization and govern with wisdom and humility. Finally, we’ll discuss how RW skills can improve both the professional effectiveness and the family lives of congressional staff members.
Thursday morning we are scheduled to meet with military leaders to explore ways that our armed services, especially military chaplains, can use RW360 resources to equip the men and women in our armed services with skills that strengthen their professional readiness and resilience as well as the peace and stability of their families. Please join me in praying that God would use these resources to reduce both the divorce rate (21,000 troops per year) and the growing suicide rate in the military.
Later that day we are scheduled to meet with members of the House of Representatives to discuss ways that they too can apply the principles of relational wisdom in their sphere of influence.
We’re scheduled to wrap up our week with a Discovering Relational Wisdom 3.0 seminar on Friday, which will be open to government and military personnel as well as local church and ministry leaders who want to learn how to apply relational wisdom to improve their public service as well as their witness for Christ.
These events are all part of a broader, long-term strategy called the Daniel Project, through which we hope to equip men and women at all levels of government service (city, county, state and national) to follow the example of biblical heroes like Joseph, Esther and Daniel, who changed the course of nations with their God-given wisdom.
Please join me in praying that God would bless all of the meetings scheduled for this week and use us as a channel of his wisdom, encouragement and grace into the lives of the public servants we will be privileged to meet.
~ Ken Sande
Reflection Questions:
- What do you do more frequently: complain about government leaders or pray for them as commanded in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”) Would today be a good day to start praying regularly for the people God has called to public service?
- Do you know people who serve our country in the military? If so, consider emailing them links to Fifteen Ways that Relational Wisdom Builds Readiness and Resilience in the Military and Relational Wisdom for Military Chaplains. Then go a step further and offer to cover the cost for them to go through online training in relational wisdom, which is available in both a faith-based and values-based (secular) format (click here to purchase gift passes).
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© 2019 Ken Sande
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