If you are following the news on Syria, you are probably aware that the President had a significant “change of mind” on Friday. Until Friday, President Obama seemed to be on an unchangeable path toward military conflict in Syria. Then, after a stroll on the South Lawn with his Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, the President changed his mind. He reversed his previous statements about going into Syria without congressional backing and decided to put the decision to a vote.
No matter where your political loyalties reside, his decision may have left you scratching your head and wondering, “What did this adviser say that made the leader of the free world change, his mind? Perhaps their conversation will be made public one day. Perhaps, by the time I write this, it already has. Nevertheless, I can’t help but wonder if most of us would be willing to change our firm positions based on the counsel of a trusted adviser.
Often times, leaders are too stubborn to listen to trusted advisers. I imagine that Pilate wishes he had listened to his wife’s words of wisdom when she told him not to have anything to do with punishing Jesus (Matthew 27:19). I imagine that Felix, Festus, and Agrippa wish that they had listened to the wise counsel that Paul gave about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come (Acts 24-26). David was wise to follow Nathan’s sound counsel about his abuse of power (2 Samuel 12:6-8).
I can’t say whether the President was right to change his mind or not. But I am interested to know, what would an adviser have to say to you to get you to correct your course? What about “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38)? Each of us has received wise counsel from the only adviser who is never wrong. Will you consider the evidence given in scripture? Won’t you be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)? Perhaps a walk and talk with Jesus is in order. Just a thought…hopefully, a mind-changing one!
