Watching what happens when a sports team gets is all together is amazing. The Yankees coming together in baseball, Manchester United in English football, and your favorite football game on a special weekend. The power, creativity, and sense of purpose are far greater than the sum of the individuals involved. Things happen! It is fun to watch. Fluid motion, consensus action, and excitement all blend into a mysterious and magical way.
I have watched a similar process with the people I work with. Their common sense of mission and unity of belief is transforming the way we interact with people inside and outside of the group. The impact of the group’s effort is far greater than I ever imagined.
I look around me and I find virtually everyone I meet dealing with major pockets of pain, difficulties, and struggles. The span and diversity of people dealing with difficult circumstances is overwhelming. During the past few days, I have sat with people who are similar as others with one big difference. They talk about the pain and the tears are in their eyes but I find an odd sparkle. They openly expose their aches and then begin to talk about their hopes. It is this hope that transcends everything else they know.
Spiritually they talk about God’s voice and actions in their lives and the lives of people around them. They speak of the ways God continues to show itself in ways that they still do not understand. The conviction in the voices is strong. The tones carry an emotional wave that is tangible and sharp. As the conversations continue and merge I can sense the power beginning to blossom.
What happens when we connect with God? I caught a glimpse and I cannot wait until we meet on the same team. “Then we’ll be a choir – not just our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!” (Romans 15.6) This is power, real power that changes the life of everyone we touch.
