September 18. Tumbling Or Tipping.

A leader of a family, organization or company is the one who guides the team. The work is like the captain of a ship, the outfitter in the wilderness, and the trail boss for the wagon train. Leaders lead the value proposition. They watch out and avoid dangerous environments like cliffs as well as to capture opportunities like water flowing at natural springs.

Where might your team members be in unfamiliar territory? Do they have the tools needed to mitigate the risks? Do they have tools and the mindset to capture opportunities? If one of the highest investments we can make is in people, then providing them with adequate tools for the job at hand might be the tipping point to exponential returns.

It could be that when we allow the lack of investment in people or the lack of use of tools, it becomes a tumbling point. One of our most critical tools are the attitudes our teams believe are the ones we connect with. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

As we walk ourselves down our path of faith, we take some twists and turns. The trail is full of holes to trip and stumble from. There are edges of cliffs we can fall off of. But there are some sections that are loaded with wonderful fruits to partake of as well, if we can reach them.

Our attitudes might keep us comfortable and unable to reach for help. But the Holy Spirit can assist us in our walk. We read, “He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground." Isaiah 41:3 NLT. It is a true joy to know that we are walking with others along our path.

And it is invaluable to know that we have tools to assist us along the way. The walking stick and the Bible give us something to lean on and provide stability. Our church and trail markers can help to point out the dangerous edges.

The Holy Spirit might be the breeze to refresh us while our relationship with our friends are the ladders along the path that help us reach the fruit. Where might you show appreciation for those relationships today? Appreciation can be a core attitude.

What tools could you be using to keep from getting tripped up? What is the first thing you will do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, you know our path. You have given us free will as we walk upon it. We can see many holes when we are looking but often, we are not looking in the right place. May we use the tools at our fingertips to avoid the tumbling points.

We celebrate our relationships today for the fruit that they are. We ask that you bless them and allow them to be tipping points bringing us closer to Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,