Take Roadblocks Seriously

“But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” Numbers 22:30

Balaam had been riding his trustworthy donkey for many years, and he always got where he needed to go. Balaam trusted the donkey’s abilities and judgment.

One day, the donkey was frightened by something and repeatedly shied away from the danger. Balaam became increasingly angry and jumped off the donkey’s back to smack it on the nose.

It became a real-life Mister Ed episode when the donkey rebuked Balaam. He had seen an angel with a flaming sword blocking the road. When Balaam realized the donkey was trying to protect him, he begged forgiveness of the angel for going in the wrong direction.

You can expect some resistance to any new ideas, but pay attention in the rare instance when a trusted employee steers you clear of a chosen path. Ask him or her, “What do you see that I can’t?”

Sometimes the stubborn one is the one who refuses to stop moving in the wrong direction.