Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
June 1, 2012

“Teamwork Works”
”Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6

There are a number of lessons that can be gleaned from this one verse—but I think I will concentrate on this one to begin with. Answer this question if you can—when, if ever, have you ever seen just one ant? One, single, solitary ant with not another one not just a few feet away but at least a few inches away. There is a very good reason for that—they are community oriented! They live that way and they work that way.
This entire chapter has been Solomon’s sermon on “staying out of debt.” You can take that to mean stay out of debt financially…and stay out of debt spiritually. I will say this, you stay out of debt financially and I believe you are stronger spiritually—because there is a trust level there that says God will supply our deepest need and anything beyond that is simply icing on the cake. I do not believe that Solomon had the church in mind when writing this and his purpose was writing to individuals about how to conduct their personal lives. With that said this verse is a perfect analogy of the Church—working hard and working together to enhance and strengthen the Kingdom of God.
I am not sure who created it or when, but some years ago I came across something that not only sounds good but it makes perfect sense. By taking the letter of the word, TEAM, you can create a phrase that goes like this: Together Everyone Achieves More.
I used to think that I was, Super-Christian. I had the energy and the wherewithal to do what was necessary. I remember at our first church carrying 8-foot tables up and down a flight of stairs by myself. In those days I had the energy to do those things…but when I look back on those times in a way I think it was more of an attempt to play the “martyr” card, making people feel guilty for not helping or to be honest, trying to make myself look good. I have always had a “servant’s” heart and that certainly comes into play but I often wonder that if I had attempted to get more people included in the work of the Church—we may have had a stronger body and been able to accomplish more.
That, to me, is the point. By more people being involved in the work it makes us all stronger, more efficient and it frees more people to become stronger. Think about that one for a moment—if you are doing more than you should be, does that make you stronger or weaker? I think the latter is the answer to that one! But if you have someone to “share the load” then it only makes sense you are more efficient. The book of Ecclesiastes (more thoughts from Solomon) uses this analogy several times and as I said earlier, it only makes sense.
Whoever thought of the little insult, “you silly goose,” didn’t really know much about geese. When you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing that science has understood why they fly like that. Research has revealed that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird directly behind it.
By flying in this "V" formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if the bird was to fly on its own. (People who share a common direction and sense of community get where they are going more quickly and easier because they are traveling on another's thrust) When a bird falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone. It quickly gets back into formation and takes advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back into the "V" and another goose takes the point. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. And finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gun fire and falls out, two other geese fall out of formation and follow it down and stay with it until is able to fly again or is dead, and then they launch out in their own formation to catch up with their group.
We can learn something from both the ant and geese. By working together we are all stronger. Richer. Healthier. Wiser. Let’s take it to heart and work for God’s Kingdom as One!
Pastor J. T. Carnell