This weekend a friend of mine
participated in a race called the Ragnar. This was a team event that covered approximately
200 miles overnight from Madison, Wisconsin to Chicago, Illinois. The motto on
the website for this team event is “Run. Drive. Sleep? Repeat.” Ragnar is a running relay race that makes “testing
your limits a team sport”.
There are 12 members on each team. Each
runner will run 3 separate times during this overnight race. The run schedule
is set up so that the strongest runners will run the most difficult portions of
course. The medium ability runners will run the medium difficulty. And the
least experienced runners will cover the easiest terrain between the 2 cities.
This challenging event is only possible because the teams share the load.
Working together to advance the kingdom of God is a team sport.
The apostle Paul understood this well and encouraged all believers to work
together.
“Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life
[will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I
[do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are
standing firm in united spirit and
purpose, striving side by side and
contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).” (Philippians 1:27 AMP)
God does not expect anyone to go through this life alone. “God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in
which to dwell;” (Psalm 68:6 AMP) We
are siblings and partners in the family of God.
Each one
of us has a role to play and a task that no one else can accomplish. “So we,
numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we
are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts
(faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us,
let us use them:” (Romans
12:5-6a AMP) We are to use these gifts and talents to work together and support
each other.
“As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious
divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's
many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts
granted to Christians by unmerited favor].”
(1 Peter 4:10 AMP) Only when we work
together can we truly accomplish the work of the Lord and bring Him glory.
As
we work together the strong support the weaker. This occurs when we truly love each
other. “Love
one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving
precedence and showing honor to
one another.” (Romans 12:10 AMP) Just as the Ragnar Relay mapped out the schedule of
running to optimize both rest times and skill level of the runners, God has
specifically designed a path for each believer to mutually benefit each other.
As each strives for excellence with his/her own abilities, the body of Christ
will be able to accomplish much.
During life, even as during this
relay, there will be seasons. Remember the motto, “Run.
Drive. Sleep? Repeat.” The Lord has a specific plan for everything that He has
called you to. He also has perfect timing for each. “To everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter or
purpose under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP) We must be sensitive
to this to take advantage of His provision in the moment and to always be ready
for the next phase of our walk.
As a team we need to keep our eyes
on the prize and keep moving toward that finish line. We must share this
commitment expressed by the apostle Paul, “…
if only I may finish my course with
joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to
me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God's
grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).” (Acts 20:24b AMP) Along the way to finishing
our course, we encourage each other. “Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one
another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP) And we
commit to stay away from anything that will break up the unity of our team. “Do nothing from factional motives [through
contentiousness, strife, selfish to this end ness, or for unworthy ends] or
prompted by conceit and empty
arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each
regard the others as better than and
superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of
yourselves].” (Philippians 2:3 AMP)
Together in unity, the kingdom of God will advance step by step.
At the end of the race there is a
prize and the satisfaction of knowing the accomplishment of the great task. The
photos that my friend shared at the end of the race exuded both joy and
contentment. We are also promised a prize at the end of this race when Jesus
returns. “And [then] when the Chief
Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror's crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4 AMP) There is great joy to be
shared during this life and when we hear the voice of the Father saying, “Well
done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been
faithful and trustworthy over a
little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your
master enjoys.” (Matthew 25:23 AMP)
So find your
place on the team and run your race, both supporting and relying on your
teammates in this life.
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