All Fueled Up - Going No Where We walked down the jet way, just like we always have done, boarding a giant Boeing jet. We settled into our seats and waited for the door to close and to hear the stewardess cleverly announce the safety procedures - "fasten your seat Belts and if we have a sudden loss of air pressure, air masks will suddenly appear and if necessary, reach under your seat to pull out your life vest. Now sit back and enjoy your 3: 52 minute flight." As the big monster pushes back, the turbines of the engines begin to turn slowly first and soon you hear the hum of the huge engines. Then the plane inches into a long line of aircraft bearing different names and colors lining the taxi way preparing to take off. Today would be different. The unusual announcement, "Please take your seat, you have been cleared for take off was interrupted by the announcement we are in a stop and hold position from air traffic control and as soon as we get clearance we will be on our way.. 2 hrs later we were still on the tarmac waiting for clearance. Then we get the announcement from the captain, "This is the captain; we will be returning to the gate to get some additional fuel. The passengers in unison let out a loud moan which echoes through the cabin. All we could think about is we would be over half way home by now, and here we are, sitting on this powerful bird, all fueled up and ready to go! Now just burning fuel but going absolutely no where. How many times do the activities that draw our attention as leaders reflect this same thing? We know what to do and we are fueled, but seem to be in a holding pattern. We are in a comfort zone with a desire to get outside the zone but no will power or discipline to do so. We are fueled and ready to go with the brakes on. Fear and lack of confidence become the blocks placed in front of the wheels that are holding us back. True confidence is foundational to great leadership. It is trust that you are prepared and ready to go. Now you must move out and move from activity to results. A true leader must move from a wobbling foundation that undermines a leaders ability, to answer with an outright response of either yes or no. Confidence, determination and work will move a leader toward the results. The key is to keep moving and trying. Admit failures and improve upon any faults, but most of all be determined to move ahead. As Christian leaders how many of us have the Holy Spirit living in us? The answer to that question is all of us if we say the name of Christ as our Savior and Lord. Yet how many of us are going no where even though we have the fuel of God Himself living in us? We can engage to exceed. Our expectations should be heightened and our confidence can be placed in the highest, The creator of all! (1 Corinthians 2 Living Bible)