March 2. Stir The Soup Or Set The Table, It's Your Choice.

Occasionally, things really get stirred up in our companies, culture, and country. The status quo gets challenged. It could be that we believe items or issues are out of our control like the weather.

A massive snowstorm could dump a huge covering of snow on your city. A tornado or hurricane could wreak havoc which would destroy property and potentially kill others. It could be that someone’s health takes a dive for the worst.

But what is more important than the havoc is that we control our behaviors to the challenges that are presented to us. As leader, you decide what you expect your employees or team to do in these situations.

You set the table with expectations for them which dictates alternative behaviors as opposed to just stirring the pot. Just stirring the pot keeps everything contained and seemingly moving. But when you stop stirring the ingredients will still taste the same although in a potential different order.

Do we stay at home and complain about the snow or do we encourage our team to go out to remove snow for ourselves and an elderly neighbor? Do we wait for a diagnosis for someone that is ill or do we go to their side and build relationships before it happens?

What is the first thing to do in the next seven days to answer the challenge to the status quo in your sphere?

In Mark 11:15, we read about Jesus clearing the temple of the money changers. This is a great example of the status quo being changed. Imagine this Jesus man shows up one morning and you are setting up your normal day to day business.

You have the pigeons and doves ready, different currencies, and maybe you have checked the going exchange rate. Then bam, everything is upside down. Some might even have run away from the person tearing up the place.

The status quo is no more. So, what did they do? Did they listen to Jesus' message? Some of the money exchangers might have been focused on gathering their supplies and setting bac

k up just as soon as they could.

Some of the people in the temple that day might have decided to follow Christ. May we be that bold to follow Jesus in the face of challenges like tables being overturned. Where are you being challenged right now? Is it in your faith, your relationships, your work or maybe it is your family?

Was the table set prior to the challenge or can you stop the fear and set it right now in a way that honors Jesus? What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Father God, you challenged our sinful nature by sending us your son. Now it is up to us to decide how we will modify our behavior. Let us think anew for we are born again. Be with us today as we answer the call to the challenges of the status quo. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,