Editorial January 25, 1988 Issue

Deciding what you really want

Michael D. Rissler

A persuasive acquaintance used to give advice on getting what you want from others. "Don't argue," he would say. "Simply let the other person get the idea that what he really wants is what you've planned."

At his young age there wasn't initially anything sinister in his intentions; he just discovered that he could insinuate his plans into others' half-formed notions. But I can tell you this: when you were around this fellow, it was hard to figure out where his schemes ended and your own independent judgment began.

All of us have hopes and expectations. And our goals are often at one time or another in a "half-formed" stage. How do we get from half-formed thoughts to confidence that we're following God's direction? It's an important question.

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