October 2. Danger! High Winds!

What is shaken? That is a slang phrase that I have heard as a greeting before. But what is shaking or shaky when we think about our teams and business? As leaders, we know that the winds will shake. That effect applies to our teams as well as we expect that the winds will blow against our people.

But are they anchored to your team’s purpose like a tree is anchored by its roots to the ground? Generally, the only trees that I have ever experienced being uprooted did so because when the wind came, the soil's grip on the roots had been weakened by saturating rains. Is your purpose and its value you deliver, able to withstand the downpours over time?

Do your team members know it? How might you strengthen the soil by planting more ground cover around your purpose? Could it be that you might have more training? If the attitudes and winds of the culture and society are constantly blowing, it can weaken our teams. As leaders, we can strengthen our teams by thinking about the attitudes that bind our connections.

Ready or not, the rains will come. Our choices now will determine whether our team’s purpose is buried deep within them. Our work to promote the attitudes that buffer the winds and saturating rains need our cultivation. What is the first thing that you can do today to impact the connection?

As a people of faith, we are not exempt from trauma, drama, or significant challenges. But the very essence of our faith is hope granted to us through Jesus Christ. We read, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us pray, be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28 NIV.

This passage feels so empowering. It makes me imagine a person standing firm on a cliff facing the storm. The person’s hair is blowing backwards while the rain blasts onto their face. Where have we been running away? As surely as the sun rises, we know the storms will come.

But our faith allows our roots to be firmly planted deep with God and the people of the church. Let us join together and strengthen one another around the base of the tree to affirm one another. Perhaps we need to be encouraging each other to dig deeper into the soil. Let the world shake the pinecones from the trees, let it rattle the treetops, and let the waves of wind roll throughout the world.

But for us, for our families and our teams, let us lean into the storm with our rock. What attitude is allowing our faith to be weakened? Perhaps we need to turn and face the storm instead of running with it. Maybe all anyone needs to face the storm is a person to encourage one another.

If our roots are cultivated with others of faith, I suspect that the tree can stand strong. If our foundation is solid with one another and Christ, then let the winds blow. Is our attitude of rugged individualism and self-preservation keeping us from strengthening our foundation?

What is the first thing you can do about it today?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings of the people that surround us. May we stand strong for each other. Help us to be fertile soil that digs deep into our relationships with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our arms may flail, our hats may be buffeted in the wind but you can always warm our hearts with your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,