When you read Isaiah 9:1-7, the prophecy of Christ's coming, you see that the winners are always a group of people. “Those”, “their”, “they”, etc., are examples of the personal pronouns used in the passage. Together is a real theme in Isaiah 9. Now we all know there are good guys and bad guys in the original Christmas story. The good guys would be Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi. The bad guys would be the innkeeper and King Herod. There is one distinctive difference between the good guys and the bad guys. The good guys always seem to be making their appearance in the Christmas story as a group, together. But the bad guys always seem to be appearing as individuals, apart from a group, alone. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
There is power in numbers and weakness without them. Very little has ever happened by individuals…it has always been the teams that made a difference. Whatever you might do in life, it will go better with a team. We all want to be independent but life will go better if we decide to be independent together.
What are the benefits of being independent together? What good does having others with me do for me that being more alone can’t?
1. I am motivated to succeed by others.
2. I can see my strengths and flaws much better through others.
3. I can hang in there longer with others encouraging me.
4. I can be a complete person with the complimentary strengths of others.
5. I can see the situation better and act in a way better for all.
6. I can enjoy a victory or get over a loss better with others.
The innkeeper listened to his own voice shut out the maker of the universe, his savior and Lord. He could have at least been able to say that Jesus slept here! And Herod took only his own advice and became a monster.
God’s plan for the invasion was that his people would function as a team. Joseph, by himself, was about to make the wrong decision about Mary. But he listened to voices other than his own (specifically the Lord’s voice though an angel) and made the right decision. The shepherds talked among themselves and said “let us go see this thing that has happened.” The magi discussed the meaning of the stars together and traveled together to see Jesus. Mary and Joseph worked together. Together, good things happen!
Listening is a key element of functioning as a team. Listening isn’t easy but here are a few people who should listen to others. If you do you will probably have a better life.
1. Husbands should listen to their wives.
2. Teens should listen to their parents.
3. Older adults should listen to younger adults.
4. Leaders should listen to their followers.
5. Everyone should listen to God.
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