Collaboration

Listen to what King Solomon said, ““Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” It’s about people working together, it’s about collaboration... It’s about joining each other and God in the work that He is doing.

There is power in collaboration and teamwork. It is said that if one horse is capable of pulling 5,000 pounds, two horses can pull 20,000. Now there has been plenty of discussion about this concept and some people believe that it has less to do with the physics of two horses pulling together than the psychology of knowing you’re not alone... That you are part of a team and that thought alone is capable of increasing your effort exponentially.

Maybe that’s why God was so intent of making sure man was not alone... That he a team by giving him Eve. This concept was pretty evident in the book of Acts. After the huge boom of the early Christian church it became necessary to think strategically. In chapter 13:2, 3, “2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” Some pretty interesting stuff happens after this sending off of Barnabas and Saul. They have a confrontation with a nasty magician and they make him blind... Pretty awesome stuff! But the chapter ends with both of them being run off and being persecuted. It's never fun when people are chasing you trying to kill you. Verse 52 wraps it up by saying, “52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Really? Joy? I have to belief part of the reason they were able to keep this joy was partly because they knew they were not alone... They had someone to collaborate, someone who had joined together in the work that God was doing.

Now, it is important to understand that just because you are together doesn’t mean you are together. Togetherness has nothing to do with proximity. People can be part of a team and not be part of the team. In order for you to be part of a team there has to be a spirit of COLLABORATION. Otherwise you are just together but not together. It’s what they say... “One bad apple...” the implication is that one bad apple can ruin a whole batch. They are together but that togetherness in this case is a bad thing. If you look at the Old Testament you can find plenty of stories of collaboration... Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply... Need we say more! If there was ever collaboration they had it going on. Working together and joining God in His work. Later we find Moses and his brother Aaron teamed with a little known man named Hur.

Exodus 17:12, “8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.” A fascinating story indeed. I’m not sure how that went down or how they figured it all out, but the end result is the same victory through collaboration. They noticed God working, in a very odd way, but they noticed and they joined each other and God in what He was doing.

Moving to the New Testament. Jesus at the wedding... Out of wine! Mary’s statement was one of collaboration and teamwork... “Whatever he says, do!” You might not understand it or get it, but just be team player. The roof guy! Remember him? He couldn’t get in to see Jesus, but he had some friends... Some team members! They collaborated and put this guy on the roof and lowered him in front of Jesus. Jesus even gave them credit. The bible says that Jesus, “seeing their faith...” the faith of his friends... Jesus realized this had taken teamwork.

So, where does this leave us? Very simple, the key to significance is collaboration between you, me, and God. It’s a brilliant move to see where God is working and join Him.

All of these stories have something in common. These stories all led to significance! We all want to be part of something significant. We all want to live a life that matters. Here’s what you do, collaborate with each other, join God in His work, and you will find significance.