Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 NLT
In 1879 Ferdinand de Lesseps the builder of the Suez Canal proposed the building of a new canal in Panama. It would be at sea level and make a “water circle” that would cut down time and mileage traveling back and forth from the Atlantic to the Pacific. After all the Suez Canal was such a huge success this canal would be monumental and change the world of travel by sea.
The only problem was that de Lesseps wanted to build the Panama Canal the same way he built the Suez. But the terrain was much different, along with many other variables. Unfortunately de Lesseps was a bull headed man who didn’t want to hear anyone who contradicted him no matter what information they showed him. The end result was not only the failure of him building the Panama Canal but placed his company in bankruptcy and ultimately cost him his freedom when he was convicted and imprisoned for corruption.
We can learn a lot from Ferdinand de Lesseps. It’s the beginning of a new year, time to begin again and start over. But we’re setting ourselves up for failure if we think we can start something new with old mindsets and a prideful spirit. Before we put our plans into motion, we should consider what we have learned over the past year. Take our plans and visions to God, read His Word and seek His counsel with open minds and hearts to His leading and direction. We need to realize that sometimes God sends us counsel through friends and family and we need to listen to them.
This year determine to be willing to consider traditions, habits and personal biases. These could be the very things that are keeping us from experiencing that “abundant life” that Jesus came to give you. Allow yourself to be taught new ways of doing things, learn to listen and consider other possibilities. Examine your heart, ask God to show you what you need to change and then ask the Holy Spirit to help you accomplish those changes from the inside out.
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