Thursday Thoughts... Shared Wisdom

Last night I had the opportunity to be one of a series of presenters at CrossPoint Church (Kansas) Sterling’s youth group. There were about 40–50 junior high through high school students, and the setup is simple: each speaker shares their background, something they’re currently working on to improve in their life, and their favorite Bible story, what it has taught them and how they use that lesson today. The talk is given twice, once for junior high and once again for high school.

I was the second week in the series, following my friend Bailey Gillespie, who I’m told did a wonderful job. I used the book of Proverbs as my foundation and walked the students through lessons that have shaped me, along with the mistakes I’ve made and the successes I’ve stumbled into along the way. (For anyone curious, I’ll drop what I shared with the students at the end of this post, though that isn’t really the point of this week’s thoughts.)

The students asked great questions about navigating college, searching for a future spouse, or stepping into the workforce. They wanted to know how to handle tricky situations, how to make good choices, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls many of us learned the hard way. It was a joy to share, not because I have all the answers, but because I’ve lived enough life to offer a few things I wish I had listened to when I was their age.

And that’s what I want to focus on this week.

I love that CrossPoint is intentional about bringing in different voices for this series. Each speaker over the next couple of months will bring their own perspective, different mistakes, different victories, different lessons.

But what if that wasn’t just something youth groups did? What if it became a part of our culture everywhere we go?

Think about business for a moment. Too often, companies operate in silos where knowledge is hoarded or lost. But when organizations intentionally create spaces for people to share wisdom across roles and generations, everyone grows. A younger employee may bring fresh ideas, while a seasoned leader brings hard-earned perspective. Both are valuable, but only if they’re exchanged. Going broader than an individual organization, what if banks paired mentors like these with new business owners? The buy in from a potential startup would tell them a lot about who they are considering lending to, and a bought in start up could save a lot of heartache and money in borrowing someone else's diploma.

Now think about civic life. Towns and communities thrive when leaders, whether business owners, elected officials, or longtime residents, pour back into others. Sharing not only their successes but also their mistakes can save others years of frustration, wasted resources, or missed opportunities. It doesn’t require a formal program; sometimes it’s just being intentional enough to sit down over coffee and pass on what you’ve learned. It is important that I call something out… we must be willing accept the wisdom we’re given. You can be told the stove is hot, but if you insist on touching it, you still get burned.

If we can normalize that kind of vulnerability and wisdom-sharing, imagine the ripple effects. Families would benefit. Businesses would become stronger. Communities would become more resilient. People would feel less alone in their challenges and more equipped for the road ahead.

That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge… Think about what you’ve learned, through both success and failure, that could help someone else. And then share it. Don’t wait until it’s polished or perfect. Just be honest, be vulnerable, and be intentional.

And if you’re on the receiving end, swallow your pride. Ask questions. Learn from those who’ve walked the road ahead of you. Wisdom multiplies when it’s shared, but only if we create the culture and space for it to happen.

I’m thankful you took the time to read this, for choosing to work, and for being part of what makes this world amazing.

Wisdom from the book of Proverbs… 4 of my favorites to get you started.

Faith – Proverbs 3:5-6

New American Standard Version: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.

New Living Translation Version: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

My Take: God wants you to have a great life and will give you everything you need to make that real. Ask – read – listen

Love/Marriage – Proverbs 5:15

New American Standard Version: Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

New Living Translation Version: Drink water from your own well, share your love only with your wife

My Take: The world sells sex and marriage as casual. This teaches that faithfulness is exciting and life-giving, not boring. The grass is greener where you water it.

Work/Sports – Proverbs 14:4

New American Standard Version: Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

New Living Translation Version: Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

My Take: People (like animals) are messy. The people on your team or at your job come with their own set of baggage (just like you and I do), but the team couldn’t win without players. Learn to deal with the mess if you want to accomplish the work.

Money - Proverbs 11:24–25

New American Standard Version: One person gives freely, yet gains even more; Another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be prosperous, And one who gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty.

New Living Translation Version: Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

My Take: Be a flowing river not a pond. Ponds hold their water in a small area. Sometimes they have plenty of water, but other times they dry up. Rivers continue to give what they have, and yet they don’t run dry. God will refill the rivers. If you want to make more – give more.