Gather Your Team

One of the funniest commercials on TV, to me anyways, is the one where the little kid is in the park playing with his football by himself when a bigger kid takes the ball.  The little kid says, "hey give it back."  But the bigger kid refuses and says come back when you have a team.  The kid gets in his mom van, gets the first 2 teammates as they lift weights in their garage, he then goes off to where he gets another teammate as this kid is wrestling a bear, he finalizes his team with his last member carrying a grown man from a burning building.  They arrive at the park and the big kid says, "touch or ..." and before he can finish his sentence, the little kids team says, "TACKLE!" 

As I continue my study and research of the book of Nehemiah and Ezra, it just further confirms that we need each other to succeed.  Nehemiah says, "the work is great and extensive..."  And I'm telling you it is.  Just look at the NBA play-offs if you watch basketball.  OKC loses Russell Westbrook, leaving Kevin Durant all alone to win every game...no way, the work is great and extensive.  Too much for one man to handle.  And what we have to accomplish, the task that lay before us - it's too great and extensive - ALONE! 

Just a few keys in building your team:

1. You need strength, those with the ability to endure the storms you will face.  In the funny commercial, the first 2 kids are weight lifters.  I mean 2 kids lifting hundreds of pounds on a bench press and the other doing dumbell curls - strong kids.  The first 2 display enormous strength. 

2. You need courage, in the book of Joshua, God says "only be thee strong and very courageous..."  It's funny, the 3rd kid he picks up is wrestling a bear!  He is on the ground with the bear in a leg scissor hold.  Strength & courage.

3.  You need compassion, in Ephesians 4 the bible says, "be kind to one another, tender hearted..."  here we go again, the next kid, he's carrying a grown man from a burning building.

Now these aren't all the keys in building a successful team and I'm having fun with the commercial comparisons, but I find it very interesting the writer of the commercial uses the kids as described. 

A team is essential in our success.  God Himself said in the beginning, "Let US make man in our image and likeness..."  God had the greatest team ever, then Jesus compiles another great team.  The Apostle Paul assembles an evangelistic team...all through scripture we see the importance of team work.  Perhaps not family by blood, but find those with like precious faith, similar passions, drive and urgency and go to work. 

Take the time to assemble a team, it's not a competition, but we can compliment one another's talents and gifts.  It's not about headliners or drum majors, it's about accomplishing the task we are called to do.  We can't win going solo, no way, no how - we need each other.  Remember this so we can support and encourage each other in the calls & commissions of our life.  Stay focused, stay encouraged, stay positive and remember, "Team work always makes the Dream work!"