Do you remember when you had to conduct experiments in the lab for school? It’s been a long time for me but I thought it was fun. It was all about getting the data and we wanted to get it right because we read the textbook.
Now we’re no longer in a lab at school. We’re in business and have ideas we need to test. Since we are dealing with people, we don’t know what the results will be. So, these tests aren’t fun anymore because I’m not thinking of them as experiments collecting data. I was making them into something that was about me.
If my idea wasn’t working, then I wasn’t good enough to be in business. No one was going to be my customer. But would a scientist conducting an experiment say those things? If the test had bad results, the scientist wouldn’t say he was a bad scientist, he would just create a different test.
I’m getting better at asking what worked, what didn’t work, what is needed to make it work. I read that wisdom is built from mistakes, so am I making enough of them? With my hair turning whiter, I must be getting wiser.
Experiments are carried out to see what will happen, not because we are desperate for the result. Having this way of thinking helps when we have a negative result. We didn’t fail! We just have more data to help us do another experiment!
I’m still experimenting with social media and emails. I need to get better at recording my results. What are you experimenting on now?
Prayer
Dear God in heaven,
Thank You for not seeing us the way we see ourselves. Help us to believe what You say about who we are. Remind us that You are still working in our lives even when we make mistakes and feel unworthy.
In Your Son’s name, Amen
Verses
Ecclesiastes 7:25 I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things
Romans 12:2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God – what is good, acceptable, and perfect
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and graciously
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction
Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory
Proverbs 18:15 Intelligent people acquire knowledge and the wise person seeks knowledge
Song
“The Climb“ by Miley Cyrus is about keeping your faith while moving forward. The other songs I found were mostly love songs. So this was the closest to the point I was trying to make. Let me know if you know of a song that would be better for this post.
Call to Action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then think about an experiment you can start this week to move your business forward.