December 23 A little Heat Please.

Leaders, when was the last time you had a fire? It is easy to think that fires are dangerous, and that damage control is always required. But as leaders, we need to remember that fire produces heat and warmth.

Are we leading in a way to act like a thermostat to keep fires from raging out of control or do we throw water on the embers as soon as they are seen? Our families and organizations might grow cold and become dormant for a long winter if we put out the embers.

We might want to encourage and stoke the embers of productivity, creativity, and results. When water is put on a fire the heat begins to dissipate and the flames go out. Putting water on the fire is not desired when the heat and light of the fire is needed. When leaders fail to collaborate with the team it is like that water that gets put on the fire.

Where is your team smoldering? How can you collaborate with someone so that the smoldering moves from smoke to flame? If you do not have any embers around, either the leader is not creating them, or someone is putting them out? As a leader, we can seek the answers to what is putting out the fire.

If you cannot find the issue, then perhaps you need to find a collaborator to discover why the fire will not stay lit. What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days? Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is time to let the light of the fire come.

We read, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT.

Maybe we can turn the nozzle of fear off for a bit. Can we turn back our fear and let the living water be in control of the fire for a while? We are not called to be a firefighter daily when we have
Christ. We are called to follow the living water.

We do not have to be holding the fire hose, fearing that the fire will get out of control, when we trust Jesus. Our hands can be freed up to do other things if the fear hose can be put down. If Jesus is putting out the fires maybe we can be holding people with compassion, care, and love.

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

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, place inside of us embers for love, compassion, caring and sharing. Guide us to be comfortable with such embers, embers that bring us warmth of life. May we turn our fire extinguishers of fear to your control.

Let our eyes see the sparks of your grace. Let our hearts feel the warmth of your love. Let us bask in the light of your forgiveness. Allow us to put away our fears, one fire at a time. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,

Mark Queen

Founder, Core Score, LLC

Navigator for Entrepreneurs

Coach for Business Tribes