Interdependence!

Watching "Coach Carter," a true story of a high school basketball coach who taught his players that life is more than just being a star on the court, is a great way to spend an evening. One of the highlight moments of the movie is when the players catch the vision of being a team. One of the guys, a street punk named Cruz, was given an assignment by Carter to do an impossible amount of 'suicide' drills and push-ups, so many that it was obvious he could not possibly complete them on time and stay on the team. Just as the coach is ready to send Cruz packing, the other players step up to take part of his assignment on themselves, putting the team's welfare over their own comfort. It's a great moment that sets the tone for the rest of the movie which the Cinderella story of a inner-city school's losing team becoming a winning team as they discover discipline and achievement in other areas of life as well as the basketball court.

(Caution. The movie is not 'Christian,' and contains some themes and language that are not appropriate for younger children.)

Interdependence is one of the keys to building a life that is truly satisfying and that reaches the potential of God's true purposes. When we realize that we are not meant to do life by ourselves; fiercely independent and protective of our personal rights, we are ready to step up to a new level of success. Few people ever really understand that fact. As simple as the idea of 'team' appears on the surface, the need for the unity of the 'team' is quickly trumped by ego, the desire for accolades, and/or personal comfort issues in almost every situation.

Interdependence is difficult for many reasons.

Sometimes the skill or success of another threatens us. Those abilities become a reason for resentment. You've likely encountered that problem when you have given your best, worked hard for a team, only to have your team-mates tell you to 'back off' from your high level of performance because they are unwilling to step and match the effort! An interdependent team lets the skills or dedication of the best member lift the others to higher planes, instead of pulling him down.

Then, too, you most likely have felt the temptation for personal glory. Who among us has not wanted to stand up and say, "Hey, how about a little credit here?" There's something about our human nature that likes our efforts to recognized. While is good and even important to recognize the contributions of the members of our team; the moment that gaining individual recognition becomes a priority, the success of the team will be be diminished.

Listen to what Paul wrote to a local church - "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me." (Philippians 1:3-7, NIV)

Paul was a 'super star' of the 1st century Church, traveling far and wide preaching and planting churches. His influence was unmatched by any other single man in the early years of Christianity, but does he hold himself higher? No. He calls these local Believers his 'partners,' and thanks God for them! Was Paul always perfect in his interdependent attitudes toward other Believers? Judge for yourself. In one revealing passage near the end of the 2nd letter to the Corinthians, (see chapters 10-13) Paul is overcome with irritation at the supposed super-spirituality of the Corinthian Believers who think themselves so superior to him that they no longer have need of his leadership. He lists his accomplishments. You can tell he is embarrassed that he feels the need to do so. Time and again he says things like, "I speak foolishly... bear with me in this folly." I wonder as he read that letter later in life, if that passage made him cringe with embarrassment? But even as he offers the proofs of his authority and spiritual maturity, Paul remains aware of of his need of others and the power of the Spirit of God!

Are you 'on the team?'
Are you playing in the symphony of grace or seeking to be the solo star?

Let this little song I learned 45 years ago in Sunday School become a theme song:
When we all pull together, pull together, pull together,
When we all pull together, how happy we'll be.
When your work, is my work, and our work, is God's work-
When we all pull together, how happy we'll be.