November 19. No Compromise.

As leaders, there are times that it seems reasonable that we might compromise. We value the opinions, intelligence, and insights of our team members. That is why they are on our team. But each organization, whether it is a family or company, needs to have some nonnegotiable values.

When is it alright to lie to your customers, your team, or their family? If you ask your team what are your top ten values, would they come up with ten? It is that time of year where we will start to see top ten lists for this or that. Maybe we need to be confident with our own top ten list. How many can you think of?

I wonder how your list might compare with your team’s list. Our team members and the leadership need to be aligned. If one member values safety and another does not put safety at the top of the value list there will likely be a gap in safety somewhere.

Would you be willing to ride in a professional race car without proper equipment? Would you ride if the pit crew of that car did not inspect the brakes at all or what if they did not provide a helmet? Once we have our values aligned, we can continuously be making improvements to how we can live them out more intentionally.

Head protection helmets today are not the same as they were ninety years ago. Is your team needing to wear helmets? If so, are they all the same and the most up to date piece of equipment that your team needs?

What is the first thing you can do in the next seven days? Perhaps you might find your list if you have one.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we know that we live in a world of sin. We are not above sin but that does not mean we must like it. It is a worthwhile endeavor to rid our lives of sin where we can.

We read, “But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.” Daniel 1:8 NLT. What a great story from the Old Testament.

Daniel refused this one specific area of sin that was challenging his life. The king wanted him to eat what the king thought was correct. But Daniel refused. Daniel knew his body should be treated as a temple which was a gift from God.

How are we doing in our modern world in regard to treating our bodies as the temple that God has gifted us with? Are we merely accepting what others prepare for us like the king prepared for Daniel? Maybe it is time to be a little more intentional about what we put into the temple.

Maybe that is an area not worthy of compromising our attention. Not putting a value on your physical health is like driving a race car without a helmet or safety belt. It can be done but when you crash it will likely have a long-term effect.

What are the top ten things you want to change about your mental and physical health in the coming year? Starting the new year with a well-constructed list is like having a launch pad ready for your rocket to rise up. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, thank you for the abundance that you place around the world when it comes to food. We ask that you guide us as you guided Daniel when it comes to fueling our bodies. Help us to distribute that food to feed your people.

May the food be used not only as fuel for the body but fuel for the mind and soul and spirit. Help us to draw near you with the food we eat, share and discard because of our love for you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,