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!