CONFESSION: I'm a recovering Lone Ranger.

Have you ever been frustrated with the messiness of working with others? I feel like I get so much more done, and done better when I go it alone, but I keep hearing, reading, seeing the motivational posters that we're stronger when we work as a team than when we go it alone.

I know it's typical. I'm well aware of the typical "developmental phases of a leader" (CRM Focusing Leaders/research by Dr. Bobby Clinton). A typical statement of people my age about their work/or ministry is: "IT WOULD BE GREAT IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE PEOPLE."

I'm in the middle of a project that's requiring professional flexiblity that Elastigirl from the INCREDIBLES would find challenging.

The Apostle Paul in the Bible teaches us about being "the body of Christ" Romans 12 first addresses it, and then in 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 21...

"12. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ....²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

That about sums up how I've been feeling the last few weeks.

It doesn't so much matter what it is that's requiring me to grow in patience and grace. What matters is what I find myself reading the day after I asked the Lord: "Can I just quit? Would it be okay if I just stopped working on this?"And I sensed Him say: "Sorry. no. you need to stick with it. see it through." 


I find myself finishing a terrific book by Gordon Smith, Courage & Calling.  Chapter 9 takes all the teaching about our vocations: our holy purpose for being on the earth, for this time and addresses the topic "Working With and Within Organizations."


Among the many good points Smith has is this point - jumping off the page as if a neon sign:

"Accept and work within the limits and strengths of the organization.... This means accepting the limitations in a situation; but more, it also means seeing the potential within those limits....

 "This does not mean that we tolerate mediocrity; rather it means that we pursue excellence within our particular situation and its potential rather than constantly complaining about what we wish did characterize our situation.

"...it is easy to be a critic. It is easy to identify with what is not present and what is not good and what you wish would make an organization better. But true genius has the capacity to identify the strengths and work from them, to build on them and celebrate them, being grateful for what is there rather than complaining about what it not there." p173-4.

As I put the book down, I pick up a missionary newsletter from a respected friend and Arts Ministry professional. Robin Harris was reporting on her trip to Tuva's capitol city Kyzyl, for a disorganized first Ethnomusicological Worship Arts Conference (layman's terms: culturally relevant music). It's not a surprise to me that she's reporting on a similar challenge with grace and dignity:

"It is very often true that pioneer efforts are messy, so it's no surprise that this first attempt was, well, messy. Besides, it's about time the churches in Kyzyl started working as a team! We count it a privilege to have been the catalyst to motivate that very healthy step forward."

If you're in the midst of a chaotic project and needing encouragement to stick with it with grace, know you're not alone! The integrity and character which is being built in us is to grow in not only our patience and grace, but even more fundamentally, our respect for the dignity and reputation of others, "regardless of their competency or effectiveness." (Courage & Calling, p166)

We all have so much growing to do!