"And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
~ Hebrews 10:24-25
This is one of my favorite pictures of one of my favorite teams in life.
No, this is not a random photo of random people. The is me and two of my brothers as well as my sister. If we haven't officially met, I'm the one middle right.
As gorgeous and amazing as my siblings are, I have a different purpose today outside of the family conversation.
I was thinking earlier about the realities of the power of being on a team in life.
Maybe you've been on a sports team and you know that sweet spot when everyone is working together and amazing things happen. We are practiced and refined, we can read each other and then it happens.
Sometimes it's referred to as group flow, sometimes it's being in the zone, but it doesn't take sport to make it happen.
This photo, for example, was taken at the vow renewal of my parents.
It was spring of 2016 and it was important to my mother for them to do it a few months early. Their 40th wedding anniversary was coming up on August 21st, but the thing was, we already knew her breast cancer might just have the last word.
So, we did what she wanted. Everyone stepped into the joy and celebration together, friends drove hours and hours to be there, and boy did we celebrate. You can even see the love just in these four faces.
(By the way, my mother was right. Their anniversary was also beautiful, but she joined her Savior on the other side of eternity on September 7th that year... two days from now, minus a few years, and just two and a half weeks after their anniversary.)
It's not always sport.
Sometimes it's the meeting that initiates a startup. It could certainly be exemplified by the synergy of SpecOps teams.
You name it. When two or more are gathered, it can happen.
Interesting, isn't it?
There's a powerful connection that is possible when people gather for a common purpose.
Team.
Guess what?
I believe that experience is what God wanted for us when He told us we needed to gather.
This faith walk (more often than not) is not meant to be a solitary road. We are meant to have people who walk it with us. Whether they're the partners in faith you can call at 3 am or the folks standing around you on a Sunday who don't bat an eye when you raise your hands and voice in praise... in fact, they'll likely even join you.
There's a partnership and a camaraderie that comes with being members of the body of Christ. We just have to remember to look, and when we find it, to connect.
It makes me think of that Margaret Mead quote. You may be familiar with it...
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
So what are you up to in the ways of changing the world, or your corner of the world, and who is on your team?
How might it be different to think about that cohesiveness a little differently? A little more intentionally?
Is it your church family? Is it a Bible study group? Is it your group of friends? Is it your immediate family?
If you are a part of a whole and together you can win the proverbial world cup, how might you approach that collaboration anew?
Just a thought, you powerhouse of a human.
You are a powerhouse. You're amazing all on your own. But, what we can do alone and what we are capable of together, in community, are two entirely different realms.
Then, add God?
To do it purposely and purposefully, for the purpose He is guiding you toward?
From that space the results can be epically exponential.
We put ourselves in the mind of a team, set ourselves to a task, and just see what God does as we co-labor.
It's poetry in motion.
May your teams, their efforts, and their results be blessed.
Heavenly Father,
You have imbued us with power I suspect most of us have not even begun to understand as individuals.
Thank You for helping us begin to grasp that and step into that.
But, beyond that, You've given a particular gift when Your children come together for a purpose.
Thank You for showing us the way! Thank You for guiding us and helping us to tap into the mystery of what it looks like when parts of Your body, Your children, unite for a purpose.
Thank You for the grace to show up in that space, with You, and bear witness to elevated levels of the work You put us here to do.
All this we pray in the name of Your Son, Yeshua.
Amen.
"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:26
"Can two walk together without agreeing where to go?" ~ Amos 3:3
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
Lovely.
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
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