September 5. Windmills Stand Strong!

As a leader of a family, a team or a company, our resolve is meaningful. Resolve conveys strength to the entire team and when we do not have resolve, it is our weakness that is conveyed. Does resolve matter? I believe it does. When our team’s resolve is strong, synergy grows and power to deliver results increases.

There are many forces that help to move a company. The forces are like the blades of a windmill. Each blade takes on some of the energy as the wind rushes by and together they turn the spindle, gears and pump. As leaders, if we are not focused, lacking resolve, we can be like the gear being broken on the windmill.

When our team lacks focus and resolve, it is like a blade being removed from the windmill’s grouping of blades that catch the wind. We need to know why we provide value and have the focus to deliver it. Windmills provide water to the stock tank to keep the herd alive. That is valuable.

What is your team's why? The rancher has firmly resolved himself that the wind will blow even though he does not know the time or the place. This develops the courage and conviction to put the herd in the pasture. How is your team delivering their purpose?

Where do you need to share your resolve with the team members whose resolve might have been worn out by the wear and tear of the world? As leaders, our focus on others is what keeps the team providing value. What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

As a people of faith, the winds of this world blow upon us. The activities of this world and being a productive person is a call. We react and sometimes are moved by those call of the winds. But our faith is our strongest shield.

We read, “Israel is no stronger than its capital, Samaria, and Samaria is no stronger than its king, Pekah son of Remaliah. Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.” Isaiah 7: NLT. It seems to me that this passage is telling us that God wants us to stand strong.

It does not say that the winds of change will not blow, that the thunderstorms will not come, or that destruction is guaranteed to avoid us. No, like the base of the windmill, which is anchored into the ground, we too are to stand firm in our faith.

As we are anchored with Christ, we can count on God to strengthen that base through our study of the word, through living with our brothers and sisters of the church, and by being in relationship with Christ. Where might you want to check on the anchors of your base?

Who are you in relationship with that you might be able to assist in strengthening their base? When was the last time that you focused on the foundation? What is the first thing that you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we are forever close to the comfort of the palm of your hands. Thank you for our relationships and your word. Even though the winds blow, and changes come daily, you do not change. We get scared and live in fear on occasion but our faith is a shield.

May we be inspired to be firmly planted in faith. We want to be anchored with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,