"You Can learn from Anyone"

“You Can Learn from Anyone”

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is Balaam’s ass in which the prophet’s jackass actually speaks and shares God’s truth with the prophet.  Conceding to self-aggrandizement, Balaam sinfully and mistakenly travels to pronounce an adversarial judgment against the Lord’s people.  Balaam knows the Lord will not forsake His people despite their sin and infidelity.  As the Lord will not abandon the covenant establishes with them.  Nevertheless, Balaam surrenders to his base fears by agreeing to offer erroneous prophecy to gain favor with royalty.  As Balaam travels, he repeatedly discovers impediments on his journey.  An angel of the Lord blocks his clear passage to the city.  Blinded with self-seeking ambitions, Balaam is unable to see the angel who stands in the path with a fiery and swift sword.  Interestingly, the jackass sees the angel and turns to avoid a collision and possibly death.  Balaam, frustrated by the donkey’s willfulness, harshly strikes the animal.  Supernaturally, the Lord opens the donkey’s mouth and she instructs the prophet about his sin and disobedience.  Containing many lessons for a lifetime, this Ancient Near Eastern, biblical story fundamentally teaches us that we can learn from anyone.

Pause for a moment and think of a person whom you dislike.  What is the reason?  Actually, the reasons do not matter.  Still, you can learn a great deal from him.  In many ways, everyone is a teacher.  Some people reflect ideals in straightforward and understandable ways.  Their powerful example and integrity motivate you to emulate them.  Other people, however, demonstrate the exact opposite of how you wish to conduct yourself.  Their negative example frightens you into self-examination.  To avoid being like them, you evaluate your words and behavior for integrity.  Whether positively or negatively, you can learn from each person whom you encounter.  I suspect some people providentially enter your life to personify a lesson you need.  Ironically, the people whom you dislike often become your best teachers.

A boss of mine held a high and unbending standard relating to personality clashes and complaints.  She would not entertain any criticisms of her subordinates from each other without a face-to-face encounter.  Someone who reported to me requested a change; offering myriad unfounded and duplicitous charges.  Interestingly, I counseled this woman through a very difficult personal and familial period in her life.  I did not deserve this act of betrayal and ingratitude.  Nevertheless, my boss steadfastly told the woman that her complaints necessitated an official meeting.  This experience reaffirmed the importance of integrity, respect and truthfulness in dealing with people.  Subsequently, I adhere to the same standard when receiving complaints from any employee.  A director of a program that I oversee possesses great animosity towards one staff person.  She wishes to terminate the person.  Really, she hopes I will assume this task for her.  Whereas I concur with her estimation of his character and work ethic, I am unable to intervene as she remains unwilling to formalize her complaints with reliable evidence.  Like my former boss, I informed this director of her need to state her objections in a face-to-face meeting.

From a relative for whom my forgiveness fluctuates depending upon my emotional and psychological circumstances, I learned the importance of punctuality.  I spent a week with her and accompanied her to work each day.  I marveled at her meticulous ability to establish a morning protocol and adhere manically to its routine.  We arrived at the bus stop at 7:00am in order to catch the 7:15am local bus.  Previously, I undervalued the significance of punctuality.  Since that week of observation nearly three decades ago, my self-discipline relating to time management coerces me to be one hour early before being one minute late.

Whereas I do not hold the two foregoing persons in high regard, I appreciate what I can learn from them.  Respect and dignity for people’s ability to meet financial, familial and personal obligations necessitate integrity and willingness to resolve differences.  As a pastor, I maintain an open door policy of communication in which I welcome constructive and direct criticism if offered in a respectful manner.  My former boss taught me the importance of direct communication.  My relative taught me to respect people by honoring the gift of their time.  People really appreciate your consideration of life’s most precious commodity, time. 

Humility, open mindedness and willingness enable you to learn from anyone.  Acknowledging your limitations and incapacities yields appreciation of all human beings who err and fail.  Other people possess talents and abilities that surpass their obvious deficiencies just as you do.  Whether for good or bad; people will surprise you.  If you willingly approach each person and experience with humility and openness, you genuinely discover that you can learn from anyone.