I like scouting reports. Years ago, when I first began coaching, I kept a notebook on every team we played. I made notes of the tendencies of each opposing hitter and pitcher. If he was a first-pitch hitter, I noted it. If he always threw first pitch fastball, I wrote it down.

Of course, the next time we played that same team, I loaded up our guys with information from the scouting report. We had a game plan to attack the weaknesses of the other team, based on what we had seen the last time.

Proverbs 15:22 speaks to this in life: “Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

The scouting report functioned as the proverbial counsel and many advisers.

And, if our guys were able to execute it, the scouting report brought future success.

We all need people in our lives who can give us a scouting report on life and on ourselves.

Here’s how to find those “many advisers,” your own scouting department:

Pray for them. God knows who you need more than you do.

Watch them. Look for the fruit of the Holy Spirit, things like love, kindness, self-control, and faithfulness.

Listen to them. They’ll be the ones others are listening to, as well.

Test them. Ask them what they think about something. Bounce what they say off the Scripture. If it’s a match, you might have found a good counselor.

Let them be honest. About you. About your ideas. About your motives. About what you want to do in life.

Follow them as they follow Jesus. But only as they follow Jesus. If they deviate from that path, stop following.

Lord Jesus, bring into my life people who will help me discern the way you would have me live, the decisions you would have me make. Amen.