Ready:
"Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Set:
There is a high-level way of gaining a competitive advantage in your sport. This high-level way is simply by being a team. The principle here is that when players and coaches come together, it’s not individual players abilities, it’s not coaching strategies, it’s not practices, even though all these things are crucial, it’s how the combined team and coaches display teamwork. It’s teamwork that propels everything. Because teamwork is powerful. There is a united focus. There is contagious energy. The team is the whole – not individuals. Teamwork becomes key in practices and in competitions.
Teamwork has been key in everyday life as well. The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, stated it clearly that two are always better than one, because the result will always be greater. There is a good reward, a good return, for teamwork. Teamwork leads to more satisfying outcomes. It diminishes envy and selfishness. Teamwork builds an “us” mentality instead of a “me” mentality.
Solomon also stated that with teamwork, when one member is in need, others are there to help. There will be times when you need help. If you are by yourself, you will have no one to help you. But if you are part of a team, a group or a community, you will have someone available to help you. They will have your back. They will protect you. Working together (teamwork) there is more effectiveness and higher results. One other example Solomon gave was about cords (ropes). The strength of one rope is far inferior to the strength of three ropes. It’s not the result of adding three ropes together, it’s the multiplication of three ropes woven and combined together. This is the competitive advantage for all of life. From the greatest wisdom, build teamwork. It’s the best place to be.
Go:
What is teamwork like on your team? What do you like about teamwork?
Are you a strong contributor to building teamwork on your team?
How can you practice and live the teamwork principle given by Solomon?
Workout:
Overtime:
"Lord Jesus, You are the one who modeled teamwork in perfection. I want to gain more of this kind of teamwork in my life. Show me how to exemplify teamwork in everything I say, do and how I live. Help me to be a true team player on my team and show others how to do this too. Thank You that You chose me to be on Your team and that You work to build teamwork in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen."