TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!

 We are born with the innate 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 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 evaluated and adjusted 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 previous 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 there.  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 compete and complete.

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.  When 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 much faster 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 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 work TOGETHER.  

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!