The Wisdom of Godly Crowds

Scripture:
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22

Observation: This proverb is straightforward with 'wisdom of crowds' advice. A person who makes decision on their own is likely to make bad decisions and poor plans, however someone who consults many others is likely to end up with a good consensus that will succeed. Of course, their is an unstated implication. The one who acts without any advice is also choosing to not seek the advice of the Lord, while the one who seeks many advisers should be consulting those people who are in prayer with God, and thus several may hear a consistent word of the Lord. It is this that produces the wise decision and direction ... the direction of God, confirmed by many others.

Application: We know that the "wisdom of crowds" works in matters of objective decision making ... when presents with alternatives, a the consensus of a large crowd is more likely to be correct than the choice of even the best-informed expert deciding alone. This proverb indicates this was a known concept thousands of years ago.

For me, this then implies two actions. First, I must be in community with others with whom I would confide in decisions. I am so very isolated in life, and I should change that. I need friends - even just good confidants who I trust - if I am to make good decisions about life. Second, I need those people to be individuals who will pray and seek the word of the Lord about my life. Since I struggle to hear good and clear direction, I need to place trust in others.

Prayer: Lord, you have placed me in a community at my church, but I continue to struggle to be close to others. May I find a place with them where I can trust, and where I can confide. Only in this way will I be able to find good future directions, aligned to your path for my life. Amen.