As we reflect on the season past and look back on our adventures, what are we thankful for? Continuing the thought over the next few weeks as we lead up to Thanksgiving, we are looking at some things we receive but don’t always notice. I am thankful for the efforts of others. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let’s face it, we can’t be everywhere and do everything, no matter how great we think we are. At some point we have to rely on the efforts of others to accomplish the good works God has prepared for us. I believe that is the way God designed it. We are not independent, we are interdependent.

Life requires that we depend on each other to truly live. None of us are Lone Rangers, after all, he even had Tonto. Society has tried to convince us that we can do it ourselves, nothing could be further from the truth. Without the support, encouragement and presence of others, life is shallow, hollow and unfulfilling.

So it is with God, he created us each unique, but dependent on one another to accomplish His Plan. I am thankful for those who walk alongside me to accomplish what God intends for the ministry He has called me to. It is a blessing to walk along the road with friends by your side.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13; The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

God created us to be different and unique. He gives each of us tasks to do and put in each of us the necessary abilities to accomplish those tasks. If we seek God and ask Him to show us the tasks He wants us to accomplish, His will. This is called being in God’s will. The blessings we receive from being in God’s will are tremendous. It includes inner peace, joy, satisfaction, fulfillment and hope. Take a look inside your heart. Do you have those blessings there?

We were created to depend on one another. God didn’t create us to go it alone. We will never experience the fullness of God’s blessing if we live life alone. Yes, there are times to be alone, but God created life to be lived together, depending on each other and helping one another.

Teams win championships because they strive to put the best person for the job in that job. I have seen a movement to cross train individuals so that they can do any job. I understand the logic, but it doesn’t result in Excellence. At best it results in mediocrity.

His name was Tom Baker, he was a quirky guy and particular about how he did things. Today we would label him as “on the spectrum”. He worked at McDonalds. Let me go on record as saying, he was the best fry maker on the planet. His area was always clean, the fries were always consistent, and he took pride in that. Until the day the corporation decided he had to learn all the other jobs also. Not only did that cause him anxiety and led to his quitting, it also diminished the quality of the products produced.

Jack of all trades, master of none spells mediocrity. If I am going into surgery, I want someone who is focused, a specialist in the type of surgery I need. I don’t want any old doctor performing my brain surgery. I don’t want a general surgeon.  I want a specialist. 

What specialty has God planned for you? How has God uniquely created you to do certain things? Our journey will be the most satisfying and fulfilling if we pursue that which God has prepared for us. I am thankful for those around me that understand this and are okay staying in their lane as we serve God alongside each other.

Have you ever wondered where our “specialty” comes from? Each of us can have that in our life. First, seek God and ask for His presence in your life. He will come and show you the way. We must obediently follow and learn as God reveals His plan for us.

The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of the way we are built, to depend on each other.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12; 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.

Race teams, Churches, Sports Teams, Schools, Companies, any group of people you can think of is made up of unique individuals. When they commit to come together and focus on what God has prepared for them to do, together, the results are more significant than what one person can do alone.

I am thankful for the team of servants God has surrounded me with. Not only my family, but the RWJM family, and the Church family. As I look around, He has surrounded me with people who have responded to the call of God and are a part of everything I do.

I encourage you to take the time and thank those around you. Those who walk alongside to help you achieve your dreams. The parts of the team that no one sees but are required to get the job done. Let those around you know how thankful you are to have them along for the journey.

Blessings,

Pastor Don