What I Do When I’m Clueless

“Despite which, Charlie seems doomed to stumble around in the dark, clutching pieces of a puzzle he still can’t see.”
― Garth Risk Hallberg, City on Fire

*****

I have a saying I use a lot – “Never assume I know.”

That statement has never been truer!

As I am typing this, I am in my second week of my new assignment as the Administrative Bishop for the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) in Illinois.

I showed up on my first day knowing virtually nothing about the state of Illinois or the state of the Church of God in Illinois! In other words–I pretty much showed up clueless!

So what to do?

I did what I’ve been doing for virtually my entire ministry, moment by moment I ask myself…

“In light of my immediate circumstances, what is the wisest thing I can do right now?” 

I have learned that developing this “tunnel vision” view of life helps me to find my way towards taking care of the big picture.

Let’s take a closer look:

• In light of my immediate circumstances – not the big picture, tomorrow, next year – just right now, this moment. I can manage that.
• What is the wisest thing – that connects me to truth, experience, past success, Godly advice (not my emotions, fears, and the unknown)
• What is the wisest thing – not things! I can usually manage one thing.
• I can do right now – improvement requires action. I can allow myself to become paralyzed, wringing my hands helplessly, or I can do the one wisest thing I can think of.

Trust me, having spent a lifetime doing this has demonstrated to me that it works. And if it works for me, it will work for you.

So when you find yourself clueless and the stress level begins to rise, ask yourself this question: “In light of my immediate circumstances, what is the wisest thing I can do right now?”