Teamwork

The last two weeks have been among the most challenging I have ever experienced.

The circumstances that led up to these two weeks were completely outside my realm of control.

As the situation grew steadily worse it became obvious that something had to be done.

I was brought in as one member of a team of five people tasked with solving the problem.

Although there were some similarities in our backgrounds we were unique individuals.

We each brought to the table a unique set of strengths.

Together, as a team, we looked at the situation objectively.

We then weighed the options available to us.

Finally, as we neared the end of the first week, we determined the best course of action.

This course of action would bring with it a unique set of potential problems.

It would also be extremely unpopular with a few people who were not part of the team.

We presented our plan and defended it as best we could.

We then put that plan into action.

During the process we encountered a few problems we anticipated and we dealt with them.

We also encountered a few that could not be anticipated.

Working together as a team, we were able to resolve these as well.

Finally, we regained control of the situation and circumstances have returned to normal.

The members of this team have returned to their normal routines.

It is very unlikely we will ever get the chance to come together as team ever again.

I am sure that I will fondly remember each of these individuals and how we came together and succeeded as a team.

There are also some personal lessons I took with me as well.

First, there was a sixth member of this team as God was with us from start to finish.

Second, as challenging as this was it pales in comparison to the realities that some people face day in and day out and so we have no reason to complain.

Third, we are each the stronger for having faced up to the challenge together.

Fourth, we will each be able to utilize what we learned from this situation as we face other challenges in the future.

There will always be times when we are faced with challenges that seem overwhelming.

But, we do not have to face them alone.

We can put together an unbeatable team and overcome them.

Just make certain that God the first person you ask to join your team.

Psalm 138:3 (NET) – When I cried out for help, You answered me. You made me bold and energized me.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com

Wising Up

Matthew 2:2 (KJV) - Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

This is one of the four verses I selected to focus on during the Season of Advent.

I selected this particular verse because it would remind of two things.

First, it would remind me that men anticipated the arrival of Jesus.

Second, it would remind me that their response was to seek Him out and worship Him.

When I selected this verse as one to focus on in the days leading up to Christmas, I did not realize that it would bring with it a third reminder.

That happened when I received an email from a new friend.

As I read that email, I remembered that the words in Matthew 2:2 were spoken by the Wise Men.

Notice that scripture does not refer to them as the Intelligent Men.

There is good reason for that as there is a big difference between being intelligent and being wise.

Intelligence is the ability to acquire knowledge.

Wisdom is the sound application of knowledge,

For example, intelligence allows one to learn a song.

Wisdom tells one to sing it for His glory.

Intelligence allows one to memorize passages of scripture.

Wisdom tells one to put into practice what scripture teaches.

Intelligence allows us to learn the Ten Commandments.

Wisdom tells us that they are about the relationships we are to maintain with God and our fellow man.

Intelligence tells us that we celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25^th.

Wisdom tells us we celebrate His birth because Jesus changed everything and we should celebrate Him every day of the year.

Intelligence allows us to understand that there has to be something greater than ourselves.

Wisdom tells us that no one can do what Jesus did for us.

Intelligence allows us to sharpen our skills.

Wisdom occurs when we use those skills to bring others to Jesus.

Matthew 2:11 (KJV) - And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

When the wise men came to worship Jesus they brought Him precious gifts.

We can bring Him precious gifts as well.

We can use the gifts He has generously given us to bring those who are lost and in need of salvation to Him.

As we continue our journey through Advent, that would be a very wise thing for us to do.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com