Dear Rose Park,
As many of you know, I enjoy listening to audiobooks. Every morning, when I take our two dogs Rudy & Rosie out for a walk, I’ll pop in my headphones and listen to an audiobook for 30 to 40 minutes. Lately, I’ve been listening to Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston where she specializes in the fields of courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. As the two dogs and I braved the cold, I heard a phrase from Brene and thought of you all.
When it comes to being vulnerable with one another and showing empathy towards one another, Brown posed the question, “are you a mapmaker or a traveler?” Meaning, a mapmaker knows the exact route because they’ve been there before, and they’ve charted the territory. A traveler doesn’t know the exact way but is on the journey with you through the twists and turns.
Knowing the difference between the two is tremendously important as it relates towards our relationships. For example, if someone comes to you seeking technical advice as it relates to your job, and you pretend to be a traveler (knowing full well that you have been there before and know the exact answer) you are intentionally withholding helpful advice. On the other hand, if someone comes to you in a vulnerable moment seeking advice and you pretend to be a mapmaker (knowing full well that you’ve never been in this circumstance before) you could do some serious damage to a friendship. Sometimes, the most helpful and meaningful gifts we can offer someone are honesty humility. I know what to do, let me help you or I don’t know exactly what to do, but I’ll travel this road as long as you’ll let me.
This same concept applies when we think of organizations. I’d be a fool to pretend that I know nothing of what it means to lead the church and I’d be just as much a fool if I pretend to know all the maps for every terrain for the church. It’s my responsibility to know the difference and then with assurance and humility step into the role of mapmaker or traveler. The same applies for you, your family, and your neighborhood. God has gifted you with experiences and wisdom to help others. At the same time, God is still leading you to green pastures and still waters.
As we prepare for the season of Lent, it’s my hope and prayer that each of us would clothe ourselves with humility as we faithfully travel with Jesus into the desert. Over the course of these forty days, may your eyes be drawn to the Good Shepherd as He leads you to the House of the Lord.
Grace & Peace,
