Mark Pittenger
Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” All throughout the Bible, we can see teamwork being displayed. In Genesis, we see the Trinity working together in the creation account (Genesis 1:2-3; John 1:1). Moses had Aaron to help him with speaking to and leading the Israelites (Exodus 4:10-15). In the New Testament, we see Jesus bringing twelve men together to be His disciples and then later sending them out in teams of two (Mark 6:7). We can see Paul traveling with others all throughout his ministry (Acts). These are a few examples I could grab off the top of my head but there are countless others, and, I think you get the picture. It is always better to be a part of a team when trying to accomplish a shared goal.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Many hands make light work?” In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV), Solomon tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” In verse 9, we see that working within a team makes the work, no matter how hard, go further. “We” can accomplish far more than you or I can!
In verse 10, we see that being part of a team means someone has your back, and you have theirs. I work in a shop, and I work on a team of fifteen people. We have the understanding that we will cover each other if needed. For example, if one of us has to walk away from the job for any reason, we know that we can count on one another to cover the job until we return. Also, if something were to occur that caused harm to me or my coworkers, it is good to know that there is someone close by to react quickly and provide, or get help. We need each other.
In another sense, the phrase “if either of them falls down” may apply to when you or I have failed at accomplishing the task at hand. In this case, the situation provides an opportunity for growth. You may be able to teach me something and I may be able to teach you something. Proverbs 11:14 explains, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” We must be willing to listen to the advice of those wiser than us. We must humble ourselves with the understanding that we can always grow. Where one person may lack a skill, another person can fill that void.
So, is God working something in your heart? Do you feel called to get involved in a ministry? Do you want to get involved but do not know where to start? Reach out to the church. Ask where there are opportunities to help. You never know what God has in store for you. You may discover a skill set that you never knew you had. One thing is for sure, you will not be alone. There is always someone willing to lend a hand. You just have to take that first step.
“As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)