Leadership and Teamwork

Do we agree with everybody? No! Every person in this world has a right to believe what they believe. God gave all human beings the ability to make choices. Can we have relationships with  people when we disagree? Yes and no. In my mind it depends on certain factors.  Obviously in this world we live in, it is evident there are reasons why it is difficult sometimes to develop relationships with some people over others.

God has exhibited his love for all human beings through the visible life of his son. God has given every individual that has ever lived, lives now or will ever live, the option of sonship with all of its benefits. People have been given the right to believe God or something else. Those who choose God and believe in the work of his son develop a relationship with the Father and his son. Jesus Christ is overseeing those who are God's. God has given him that authority.

Jesus Christ was the greatest example of leadership that ever walked this earth. He was truthful and walked in love. He treated all people well and part of that was that he confronted when it was needed. He stood up to oppressive religious leaders because he loved people. I love the story of Jesus confronting the religious group who were about to stone a woman caught in adultery. He didn't yell at them and say something like: 'You jerks, who do you think you are!!" He simply said 'You who are without sin, cast the first stone.' He also spoke to the woman. He told her to  'Go and sin no more' after her accusers had, one by one, dropped each stone and left. He was full of unbiased love, truth and boldness because he loved his Father and was bringing his Father's love into the world.

Just because someone believes in God doesn't mean he/she can't get along with someone who doesn't think the same way. The Constitution of the United States provided for differences in beliefs and free-will choice. However, when people start pushing on others in a negative way that is harmful, a line has to be drawn. That is why there are laws.

When we choose to develop a relationship with God we actually join a team called the 'body of Christ'. It is the church, a group of people who love God. Because the spirit of God has been given to us  at the time of this new birth, we have the right to function with and among others who also have the same spirit living in their hearts. After Christ's resurrection and ascension, all people both Judeans and Gentiles (other nations) were finally joined together in one group belonging to God. Prior to that time, Judeans and Gentiles were separate groups and did not exactly get along together. There had been lots of contention between the two groups throughout history.

Today we have many thousands of types of Christian groups.  As human nature would have it, even these groups develop animosities because of disagreement of beliefs. When Jesus Christ is truly the head of God's church, people are united by one spirit. Each and every member has access to the spirit of God and can do amazing things together to accomplish the work of God.  Too often we see division in these groups when one person starts sizing up their spirituality against another:

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. II Corinthians 10:12

Have you ever heard the expression "There is no 'I' in team"? This phrase probably gives the connotation that there is no 'ego' in team, but it shouldn't mean there are no 'individuals' that function in a team. Individuality is important in a team and necessary for team benefits. When the spirit of God has been given to all and really functioning, there is no spiritual elitism nor a restricting hierarchy and certainly no competition.

We are all wired differently. God did not make us carbon copies of each other. Some are managers, some are pioneers. Some lead, some blaze trails, some lift up and support and some double check the details. My boss was a 'detail thinker.'  I was so thankful for her skills because she could look at the small parts and put them together.  My brain works the other way around. I get the big picture quickly before I start to see the small parts. If people respect and see how different skills fit together, production soars.

My husband is a 'detail' person like my boss.  Since my thinking runs at high speed at times we had to figure out how to work together and not get frustrated. Having different skills should be a bonus not a frustration. That is what growing together is all about. Respect, patience and love make marriages more successful:

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Just as I am typing this, the Cubs just played a great 1st inning.  Zobrist (the lead-off guy) batted first.  He didn't swing for the hills. He put a very well-placed hit in right field and got on base. Bryant did the same exact same thing to left field. Schwarber( a powerful homerun hitter) then swung for the hills for a home run and 3 runs scored. Every run counts one point whether it's a homerun or a hit. It was a great example of leadership, teamwork and success. Go Cubbies!

An amazingly beautiful reality:

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth (extending to everyone), and length (extending through all times), and depth, and height(higher and deeper than we can ever attain by ourselves); (the dimensions of love)

And to know (have first-hand knowledge) the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled (be complete) with all the fulness (completeness)of God.

Now unto him( God) that is able to do abundantly above ( this is big!) all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh (energizes within) in us, Ephesians 3:17-20

Fruit Production Comes From Within

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering (having a long fuse), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

No can argue that the above list of these nine qualities are wonderful. We can't make ourselves peaceful or meek or  joyous by pushing our minds. They come by trusting God, exercising our rights and abilities as situations come up in our lives. It is via the spirit of God that is shed abroad in our hearts that fruit is produced. 

An apple tree produces fruit as a result of several biological processes. Light, water and rich soil cultivate fruit trees and promote pollination, seed production, photosynthesis, and transpiration. These are precedent to production. The same is true for the fruit of the spirit.

We all experience difficult times in our lives. God is not in control of the negatives that manipulate and try to influence our world. God is all good and he works in the trusting heart.  

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (thoughts), shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Our thoughts sometimes race ahead when presented with fearful, dark and pressurized situations, but God comes through in flying colors for us with a peace that just can't be described. The same is true of joy. Inner joy just cannot be chased away very easily or at all. It is how we love the unlovable and stay still when we want to run and hide. The fruit of the spirit provides us with reassurance and builds a bigger trust that supersedes anything that the world has to offer.