Teamwork is Essential

"Greater is the One living inside of me than he who is living in the world!" --MercyMe, "Greater"

"There'll be days I lose the battle. Grace says that it doesn't matter, 'cause the cross already won the war. He's greater! He's greater! I am learning to run freely, understanding just how He sees me, and it makes me love Him more and more." --MercyMe, "Greater"

Let those lyrics sink in. No matter what you are going through, God is there. And He is bigger than anything you may be facing. Remember that. It can be very comforting if you let that truth sink in.

The verse for this evening comes from 1 Samuel 22:2, which says, "All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him." (NIV) David is a great example of a leader to model yourself after. There are many lessons that we can learn from his life as described in the Bible. David effectively led first a smaller group of people, and eventually the entire nation of Israel!

Rex Murphy said, "Where there's a will there's a way; where there's a team, there's more than one way." Teamwork is essential for success. I've said this before: Even if you are the one in charge, you must still work with others as a team. Teamwork is inevitable.

Be a valuable asset to the teams you are a part of.

The reflection question Maxwell poses for today is: "How do you invest in your team?" He gives ten steps that leaders can take to invest in their teams. (The steps below are quoted directly.)

1. Make the decision to build a team.
2. Gather the best team possible.
3. Pay the price to develop the team.
4. Do things together as a team.
5. Empower team members with responsibility and authority.
6. Give credit for success to the team.
7. Watch to see that the investment in the team is paying off.
8. Stop your investment in players who do not grow.
9. Create new opportunities for the team.
10. Give the team the best possible chance to succeed.

Following those guidelines can help you to build an effective team capable of accomplishing great tasks. As the leader, you must be willing to invest in your followers. Make the investment. Take the time necessary to ensure their growth, as far as it depends on you. Your followers will probably see that you are taking these initiatives. Lead them as effectively as you can! And where you fail, look to God for strength and guidance. Even through your strong times, look to Him. Never neglect the Ultimate Leader. He is where your guidance and strength and help should come from!

God bless you!