We are born with the foundational longing to be part of something
bigger than ourselves. God created us that way because we are
fundamentally bigger and better when we exist in communion with Him and in
community with our fellows. This intrinsic human need is the reason
why psychologists pen endless tomes about group dynamics. Point to
Ponder: Are the GROUPS you
belong to (family, faith, career, neighborhood, nation) BETTER OFF as a result of your
membership and participation?
Sanjeev Kumar Singh amended the familiar classic story,
“The Tortoise and the Hare,” to make an important point about how we may
potentially survive, thrive, succeed, or fail based upon our motives and
interactions with one another. Read and consider:
Do you remember that famous race between the Tortoise and
the Hare? We all know that at the end of that story the Rabbit (Hare) was
not able to win the race against the Turtle (Tortoise).
Well, that was actually not the end of their story. After a disgraceful loss to the Turtle, the Rabbit decided to have at it again. He determined not to stop and take a nap this time.
The race started and soon the Rabbit was far out of the sight. This time he didn't stop, so he defeated the Turtle by a huge margin.
The Turtle lost the race that time. However, he didn’t give up. He challenged the Rabbit again on a different racetrack. The Rabbit, full of confidence, accepted. He knew the reason he had lost the first race, his laziness and decision to stop along the way. He was able to win the second race because he had honestly examined and corrected himself.
The Third Race started. As usual, the Rabbit soon disappeared. Everyone was laughing at the Turtle, but the Rabbit didn’t want to stop to see why and kept on running as fast as he could. He wanted to defeat the Turtle by a much bigger margin than the earlier race. But suddenly, he came to a river. He was not able to cross it and was stopped in his tracks.
After a long time, the Turtle reached the river and confidently stepped into it. He swam in water much faster than he could ever run on land. Within no time, he crossed the river and moved towards the finish line. As the Rabbit watched helplessly, the Turtle won the race.
But the story does not end here. They decided to meet and reflect on their actions. Together, they came to the following conclusions. After the first race, the Rabbit learned he had lost because of his laziness. After the second race, the Turtle learned he had lost because his opponent was better at running. After the third race, the Rabbit learned that being fast is not enough; one must have brains as well to successfully complete the task.
So the Rabbit and the Turtle decided to run the course again. This time, however, they would be running as a TEAM, and not in a competitive race.
The Rabbit put the Turtle on his back until they reached the river. Once they needed to cross the river, the Turtle put the Rabbit on his back. After crossing the river, the Rabbit again put the Turtle on his back and both reached the finish line in less time than ever.
What did they learn that day? With teamwork, both could complete the race quicker and both could enjoy the reward. TOGETHER. During the time they were competing against one another, just one was able to prevail. WIN-WIN SITUATIONS are always preferable…always!
Well, that was actually not the end of their story. After a disgraceful loss to the Turtle, the Rabbit decided to have at it again. He determined not to stop and take a nap this time.
The race started and soon the Rabbit was far out of the sight. This time he didn't stop, so he defeated the Turtle by a huge margin.
The Turtle lost the race that time. However, he didn’t give up. He challenged the Rabbit again on a different racetrack. The Rabbit, full of confidence, accepted. He knew the reason he had lost the first race, his laziness and decision to stop along the way. He was able to win the second race because he had honestly examined and corrected himself.
The Third Race started. As usual, the Rabbit soon disappeared. Everyone was laughing at the Turtle, but the Rabbit didn’t want to stop to see why and kept on running as fast as he could. He wanted to defeat the Turtle by a much bigger margin than the earlier race. But suddenly, he came to a river. He was not able to cross it and was stopped in his tracks.
After a long time, the Turtle reached the river and confidently stepped into it. He swam in water much faster than he could ever run on land. Within no time, he crossed the river and moved towards the finish line. As the Rabbit watched helplessly, the Turtle won the race.
But the story does not end here. They decided to meet and reflect on their actions. Together, they came to the following conclusions. After the first race, the Rabbit learned he had lost because of his laziness. After the second race, the Turtle learned he had lost because his opponent was better at running. After the third race, the Rabbit learned that being fast is not enough; one must have brains as well to successfully complete the task.
So the Rabbit and the Turtle decided to run the course again. This time, however, they would be running as a TEAM, and not in a competitive race.
The Rabbit put the Turtle on his back until they reached the river. Once they needed to cross the river, the Turtle put the Rabbit on his back. After crossing the river, the Rabbit again put the Turtle on his back and both reached the finish line in less time than ever.
What did they learn that day? With teamwork, both could complete the race quicker and both could enjoy the reward. TOGETHER. During the time they were competing against one another, just one was able to prevail. WIN-WIN SITUATIONS are always preferable…always!
I love Mr. Singh’s story because SYNERGY is an
indispensable component of TEAMWORK. That
is, the end result of TEAM EFFORT is always greater than the sum of the
individual parts or members of the team.
SYNERGY means 1 + 1 = 3. It
sounds like NEW MATH, but it is actually an ANCIENT EQUATION FOR SUCCESS. Think.
The KINGDOM OF GOD was never designed to be a competitive course, as
some might frame it. Rather, it is a
divinely orchestrated opportunity – offering eternal life to all believing and
receiving humanity. We are always
better, bigger, bolder, brighter and more beautiful when we are working TOGETHER.
Sisters and brothers, be continually
blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON
COMING KING. Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment