Text: Judges 7:1-7
Memory text:
“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”
Amos 3:3 NKJV
It’s a misconception in teamwork to think everyone should be a member of your team or should remain a member of your team. What a way to guarantee failure!
Firstly, know that not everyone will want to go with your vision. There are those who prefer to maintain their position and don’t want to change or conquer new territories. Do not insist that they remain in your team, but appreciate them for their past work, release them, and move on.
Secondly, not everyone should go with you in your vision. Unlike the first category, these people want to go with you and want to be part of your team, but they have their own agenda. They have other plans and other destinations that do not align with your own vision (Amos 3:3). Likewise, thank them, pray for them, and release them with no animosity.
Thirdly, there are people who can not be part of your team because they are not capable of meeting your team’s demands (Matt 25:15). They always slow down the team. Aside from their natural ability, they do not develop in their own area of responsibility, and they never work on their weaknesses. They turn down every opportunity for growth with excuses. Don’t continue to keep them, else they will ruin your team. Rather, thankfully, exit them.
This was what God did for Gideon’s team in our text. In raising an effective team for Gideon in the battle against the Midianites, the first thing that God did was to excuse those who didn’t want to go to the battle. They were fearful and faithless. As soon as the option to pull out was given, 22,000 men immediately withdrew from the team!
Next, God had to remove members who wanted to remain in the team but were not capable. The men who got down on their knees to drink water were excused and sent home (Judg 7:7). Only 300 of the 10,000 men were retained in the war team; those who lapped and cupped water with their hands. Unlike the others, these showed vigilance, drinking with one hand and holding the sword with another. They have learned to keep their bearing and focus in the midst of pleasure. They knew how to work hard in their business and still serve God with full devotion (Rom 12:11).
Friends, in any team, membership should always be carefully selected and regularly audited to remain motivated and effective. Are you a plus to your team, a countable, a catalyst, and a valuable member?
Prayer points
1. Father, please, make me a countable, a catalyst, a valuable, and a plus team member, both in the church and outside, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let me not live in pleasure, but help me to be vigilant, sober, diligent, and serving the Lord in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I will make myself an asset and a godly influence in any team where I belong and not a liability and a bad influence.
2. I know that not everyone will go with my vision. Not everyone should and can be part of my vision, so I release without any ill feelings.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng