We belong to one another…
A body, a team, a group of people united under the same mission.
In John Maxwell’s book the 17 indisputable laws of teamwork, law 5 is the law of the chain. The law of the chain explains how our strength as a whole is impacted by our weakest link.
It takes all of us taking our place, growing and learning together to fulfil our collective purpose.
Last night my friend Jai recounted his experience doing the Kakaoda trail. He explained that he didn’t do it alone, he was a part of a team. At different times the individual team members experienced times where they felt great and times where they struggled. Regardless of how they felt at different times he explained that they could not go the speed of their fastest team member but rather they kept pace with the slowest team member. They needed to stick together in order to achieve their common goal.
“Where there is unity God commands a blessing” Psalm 133
“You will know them by their love for one another” John 13:35
Teamwork/unity: choosing to put our differences aside (serving one another) for the promise of what we can achieve together.
There are times when we we are ‘the strongest link’ and times we know are ‘the weakest link’ (thank goodness we don’t get voted off ????). It’s not important where we sit in that moment (weak or strong) but rather that we stay linked.
With this in mind the desire to continue to grow, overcome my weakness and not withhold who I am is stirred.
Who we are and what we have to offer is not ‘ours’ to hold onto it has been entrusted to us to take our place in a community of faith- the Church; Christ’s body.
It will look different throughout different seasons in life as they unfold for each of us. There have been times where the most I can ‘offer’ is to just show up and be a bottom on a seat, perhaps say hi to someone I meet for the first time or make coffee. Other seasons have been filled with days volunteering and leading teams.
It’s not about what or how much we have to contribute but rather that we see ourselves as part of the picture, together, as a team, a body…
Being involved keeps us attached, in community, having the lifeblood pumping through us and keeping us healthy.
Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. Romans 12:5 The Message
Playing our part is not about the outcome I actually think it is about us, God cares enough about us to know that we will find out meaning and function as we take our place in His body.
Teamwork, unity and contribution can be a touchy subject.
What are your thoughts?
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