POST 52: We’re Better Together
POST 52
We’re Better Together
Group projects. You love ’em or you hate ’em. I (Kristel) was never a fan.
Oh sure, it started out exciting enough, especially if I was grouped with friends, but inevitably people would slack from their responsibilities. Or they wouldn’t complete their part of the project to my liking. Or they wouldn’t complete it at all. Depending on someone else for my grade didn’t sound like a good time to me.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons I loved writing so much. It was mostly a solitary activity. I could sit in my room with my journal and a pen and create stories without input from anyone else. I was free to let my imagination run wild without imposition. I loved it so much that when I got older, I became a freelance writer.
My introverted self loved being alone with my computer, typing away. I didn’t have to rely on anyone to complete my writing assignments. I could choose the work I wanted to take on and work at my own pace. It was great!
Not Meant to Go It Alone
Well, it was great until it wasn’t. It didn’t take long for me to start craving a writing community. I felt so alone and wanted to check in with other people who shared my love for writing and understood the ebb and flow of the work. I needed others to commiserate with me. I needed a group where we could cheer one another on and provide tips. I needed kindred spirits.
Thankfully, in the age of the internet, I soon found the group I was looking for. While we lived all across the continent and had various backgrounds and areas of interest with writing, we shared two things: we were all young moms and we were all writers.
Through this group, I found the community I was looking for. We checked in with one another throughout the day, shared when writing jobs became available, recommended each other to editors, and critiqued one another’s work so we could perfect our craft. I realized then that writing didn’t have to be a solitary activity—in fact, it was way more fun and fruitful with others along for the ride.
I’ve held on to this notion as I’ve gotten older. My goal is always to be on the lookout for people who share my passion and purpose so that I can invite them to work together in some way. When I see a young writer who is just starting out, I invite them to have coffee and talk about writing. I share opportunities with them to be mentored and develop their skills.
I also take this approach in my ministry work. On our team we have people with various strengths, and I’m glad about that! Some are visionaries, some like to organize tasks, some like to work directly with people, and some get excited about data and spreadsheets. I love giving people the freedom to be who they are and work in their strengths. When we all come together, we make a pretty great team.
I didn’t always see the value in being part of a team, but now that I’ve experienced it, I can’t deny that it’s worth it. Yes, it takes time, intentionality, and hard work, but if everyone is “all in” and brings their unique gifts to the table, we can be better together.
READING GOD’S WORD
Certainly the body isn’t one part but many. If the foot says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? If the ear says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not an eye,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell? But as it is, God has placed each one of the parts in the body just like he wanted. If all were one and the same body part, what would happen to the body? But as it is, there are many parts but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:14–20)
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Journaling Questions
What’s your experience with group work or being part of a team? What’s good about it, and what’s challenging about it?
When you read 1 Corinthians 12:14–20, what stands out to you? Why is every part important?
Pray This Prayer
God, thank you for the gift of community. Thank you for the gift of people who share my passions. Help me to connect with others in my purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What are you passionate about? What’s something you want to try? How do you want to explore your purpose? Research a group that does something you’re interested in or passionate about and join! It could be an after-school club, a nonprofit organization, or a local church group.
THE TAKEAWAY
Your purpose can get stronger when you practice it with others.