November 24.Batter Up!

“Strike three, you are out,” is something that an umpire says. If you are the batter, your current role has just changed, and you are living a temporary let down. But the leaders of the team know that this is a transition point. If it is not the third out, then another batter is coming to the plate.

No single out is the full expression of the team's efforts. No out defines the value of a team or the value they provide. As the leader of a family or organization we sometimes have players that get stuck in that transition.

We lead so that our team members do not get so stuck that they try to fight their way out of the transition by taking bats to coolers, helmets, and potentially other people. But you have probably seen that happen on the sports highlight reel. If that happens it becomes part of the full expression of your teams' values.

A teams' value is determined not by the singular results of one but by the full delivery of the collaboration of the team. As leader, when was the last time you looked at the full expression of your team? It changes over time and is especially vulnerable when the third strike is called.

Where might someone on your team need assistance through a transition? If coolers are flying, it is too late to stop. If anyone is injured on strike two, you may be the only one who can send in a pinch batter. The full expression of you, as leader, and of your organization starts with your call, not the umpires.

The leader is accountable for how the team responds in the dugout and the damage done to coolers. What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in a world where our perspective gets narrow and small. We all get attentive to ourselves at times when we are a part of a much larger picture.

We read, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” 1 John 4:12 NLT. Each of us have moments where we are part of the full expression of God. When we choose to love others, we are in those moments of transition.

Those are the base hits and home runs I want to experience. I suspect you do as well. They make God smile and they warm our hearts, both the lover and the loved. When we are in a world without love it is more than coolers and bats that get broken. Lives and families get shattered.

Where are you and those around you in transition? Maybe it is time for some love. The only person that can be accountable to sharing your love with others is you. You will likely be at the plate, that is, to have an opportunity to love others this week.

Are you willing to commit to share some love in a place that you have not been willing to do so? Maybe it is volunteering somewhere that makes you uncomfortable. On the other side of fear is freedom. In that freedom might be some love that you can bring.

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

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, it is a glorious day to be in relationship with one another. Guide us to remember that we are on your team, and we can never strike out. We will remember that our actions and attitudes reflect upon you.

Make the words of our mouths and the actions of ourselves bring you honor. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,