August 28. Tools In One Hand Or Two?

Entrepreneurs and leaders have valuable tools that they use in their organizations. Think about your tools that are deployed: software, hardware, buildings, supplies and so on. When these tools are put in the hands of our most important resource, our team, the combination can become exponentially valuable.

But sometimes tools might protect. Warriors have tools that are weapons. We probably do not have tools to harm but as leaders we are to be looking where people are using the tools. In the right hand they provide value, in the left they might protect. Where can your team members use the tools in your organization for better value?

Where might a protective tool be used to provide other value? Some of the most valuable tools that any team has is their core attitudes. Do your team members know of all the tools and have access to them? Tools that are not being used have limited value. Maybe the best quarter ever can happen if the tools are used differently.

What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

As people of faith, we have tools at our disposal as well. Tools can help us to stay in relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible, the church, and prayer are some of our tools. There are also attitudes that help us as tools to stay connected to Jesus.

Attitudes of forgiveness and being kind are just two. How are we using the tools at our disposal? Are they being used to bring others to Christ or being used for our comfort? Are we reading the Bible to deepen our relationship with others or to defend a judgment we have made about others?

We read, “We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.” 2 Corinthians 6:7 NLT. Maybe some time spent inventorying the tools we have used for the last thirty days could teach us something.

But a focus on using our attitude tools might connect us with others and with Christ. What is the first thing that we can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, you have made us in your image. Yet, we fall short of our potential because of our sins. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Make the constant pounding of our reading of the Word shape our views like the blacksmith's hammer shapes the shield and spear.

Allow our prayers to draw us closer to you, like the pliers draw the bolt and the nut together. Guide our minds towards those that love others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen,