Wednesday 02 Sep
We can be a part of something much bigger than ourselves.
I love watching the Tour de France. There will be too many late nights for me this month as I take in the peloton, the gorgeous scenery, historic buildings and admire the endurance of the riders.
It was great to celebrate an early stage victory for Australian Caleb Ewan this week and be reminded of the power of team!
After winning Stage 3 of this year’s Tour, Ewan was quick to thank and celebrate his Lotto Soudal teammates and support crew.
Yes, it was the 26-year-old Sydney born cyclist who stood on the podium after the race, but behind him was a team of riders who supported him physically and tactically on the day to get him across the line in first place. And then, there are the unseen crew – coaches, team managers, mechanics, physiotherapists, sports psychologists, team dietician and the crew’s bus drivers.
Behind every win at the Tour is a huge team effort!
With this sporting imagery in mind I have been reflecting again this week on the power and privilege of team! As a mission community we are, as I have said before, 'a team of teams'. Ultimately, we’re the sum of all of our teams and everyone has a role to play, be that on the frontline in Africa, Asia and Outback Australia, or behind the scenes in multiple teams across Australia.
This week, let’s take the time to thank God for his wonderful vision of community – of teams working together with purpose to advance the Kingdom and bring glory to God. Let’s remind ourselves of the importance of playing our part, as each of us have a vital role to play in shaping the future our shared work across the world.
As I thank God for Luke, who leads our team in Cambodia, I am reminded of his family by his side, as well as his team colleagues on the ground and back in Australia. I’m mindful of the support given to Luke and Rachel from our South Australian State Office Team and the broader support base in SA and beyond. I’m mindful that Luke does he what does with the support of our National Office – including passionate, faithful staff members like Natalisa in our accounts team and Teagan leading our communications team.
And then there are dedicated teams of people around the country all linked together by our compelling vision. Mission committees in churches in WA, prayer groups in country NSW, our dedicated Qld stampers group and the Missiological Advisory Committee team I met with yesterday.
With a ‘team of teams’ picture in mind I have been reading and reflecting again this week on Paul’s challenging and encouraging metaphor in 1 Corinthians 12.
“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.” – 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (MSG)
I love the reminder that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself. This humbles me, it highlights my need for others, it reminds me of the privilege of being part of the Global Interaction team and it challenges me to give my best to building our ‘team of teams’ as we embrace the gracious invitation to share in God’s mission for the world.
Let’s celebrate and build team this week – in our communities, our churches and through our shared commitment to Global Interaction.
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