Choose Wisely.

Team = a group of people coming together to achieve a common goal.

         Throughout history there is one thing that you can almost always find, teamwork. Sure you can do “it” alone but you can surely do it better, faster or more effectively with the help of others. Most of the teams we see now don’t really have too much of a say in who they have by their sides. The team owners pick and choose who they want to wear those team colors that you love so much and the players just either learn to get along or attempt to hide any discord. They learn to put aside their differences and fight against a common enemy.

         Like those professional teams, we have a team that we can join together with in “battle”. Unlike those teams though, we have complete control in who is on our team. It’s one of the most important decisions that you can make (in my opinion). I recently read an article about the different types of people that you should surround yourself with, and it really got me thinking about my own team. Part of this list is from that article and parts I tweaked a little bit for myself.

1)    The instigator. This person is someone who pushes you, who makes you think. Who motivates you to get up and go, and try, and make things happen.

2)    The cheerleader. This person is a huge fan, a strong supporter, and a rabid fan of you and your work.

3)    The doubter. This is the “devil’s advocate”, who asks the hard questions and sees problems before they arise. They are looking out for you, and want you to be as safe as you are successful.

4)   The taskmaster. This is the loud and belligerent voice that demands that you get things done, and your goals are reached.

5)    The connector. This person can help you find new avenues and new allies. They can most often walk ahead of you the reach the people and places that you don’t have access to yet.

6)    The example. This person is your mentor or the person that disciples you. There presence can act as a constant reminder that you too can do amazing things.

As I said before, this really got me thinking about who I’ve picked over the years to be on my team. I’m thankful for everyone that has been a part of my team and gotten me to this point in my life. However I think that your team is capable of a constant shuffle of players. I don’t know that I’ve ever had 6 people like this list, BUT I know that the people I’ve surrounded myself with have met those needs for me. Some people were/are better multitaskers than me ;) I DO however think that it’s vital that you have these people in your corner, fighting for you and encouraging you along the way. We weren’t called to walk alone but as believers you aren’t called to walk with just anyone either. Be careful and pray about who you let into your camp and who you let spend time around you with your armor down. Above all else make sure that you and the people on your team love each other sacrificially (John 15:13), accept unconditionally (Proverbs 17:17), trust completely (Proverbs 18:24), have healthy boundaries (1 Corinthians 13:4) and give mutual edification (Proverbs 27:6).