February 16. The World Can Be Changed Forever In Just Forty Days! So Can We.

Are you ready? You might be asking, ready for what. Have all preparations been put in place? Entrepreneurs and leaders do not just get ready to get ready. They do not just talk about getting ready because ultimately, results matter. Leaders are part of the team.

The team operates with systems and processes that make things happen. Therefore, actions are required so that value might be provided to the team and others. They put their plans together and then results appear. Grand openings occur, people are fed, utilities make water and electricity arrive.

These are all results of a leader and team working together. There are times though that the planning and research can drag on endlessly. To keep our situation exactly as it was means that the leader is failing. It has been said that if you are not growing then you are decaying.

Where is anyone on your team just getting ready to get ready? This activity results in delaying value delivery. The world is always ready for value, but our fear of loss can hold us back. Often that fear of loss can keep a team in the think it over loop. This is just a means of being stuck.

There is no magic formula for how much planning and activity is needed but accountability can help a leader and the team move forward faster. Where might you be stuck in a ready cycle? Not sure, one might ask yourself where are you not being accountable?

There are many Bible passages about getting ready and making plans. I want to highlight two. The first is the story told about the construction and making of the Tabernacle. The design was given, the people put in place, the funding was achieved and then it all came together.

The altar, the lampstands, the connecting rings, the stands for the pillars were all made. The Israelites were ready to worship. The other story is found at the beginning of the book of Mark. Jesus was baptized by John, and then he went into the wilderness for forty days!

I like to think of those forty days as his preparation for what was about to begin. I like to think about him being in thought about how the people were going to be offered a new way of life. I like to think that Jesus was thinking about, well, about you and me. He took time to prepare.

The season of lent will soon be upon us. Let us use our time of lent to prepare as well because Easter is coming. Action is required to avoid the decay so get your ready and plans put together now. What can you do in your life for lent this season?

What project can you launch in your business in the next forty days? Jesus prepared for the changing of the world in just forty days. What one thing will you do to change yourself, your world, your business, or your family? Will you at a bare minimum, in the next seven days identify what one thing is?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and we know you were there. He was tempted but we also know he came out of the wilderness and launched the greatest story ever told.

We ask your guidance as we prepare ourselves for a journey of our own for forty days. Open our eyes to a project that will help us to connect to you, grow in our relationships, and to serve others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen,