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“Unity and Peace”
As we wrap up this series on honor, there are two things that are paramount to walking in honor. We need to go after unity and a bond of peace as Paul talks about in Ephesians 4, specifically in the area of leading a team. (Of course, this applies with anyone you are leading, not just your team).
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4: 1-6 (NIV)
Being unified and at peace with one another is a sign of maturity. We need to cultivate a spirit of unity and peace with each other. Living from this place is both honoring to each other and the Lord.
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5
When you are building a house, you have to place the stones together in a certain pattern and form. Just because you have a pile of rocks, doesn’t mean you have a house. When each person on your team takes their place and you all work together in unity, then you have a structure that is meant to accomplish a specific purpose. There is a difference between assembling and gathering.
Assemble definition: to bring together or gather into one place, company, body, or whole.
to put or fit together; put together the parts of:
Gather definition: to bring together into one group, collection, or place:
You can be gathered together with others, but if you are not purposing to work together in unity, you’re likely just a pile of rocks. Honor and unity gives your team the structure to assemble and actually accomplish what God has called you to do.
God has appointed all of us for greatness. We have all been born with this innate sense that we were created for something amazing, to do something truly outstanding with our lives. And when we accomplish that call with grace and honor, God gets the glory!
We need to care about what God cares about. And He cares about each team member who is under you. He cares about each hard day and each happy day. Rejoice with your team members when they have a win! And mourn with them when your team mourns. You are a family. As a leader over your team, you need to be an encouragement to them. Always speak positively about your team, consistently building them up. Refuse to listen to gossip about our team member and be quick to cut that off. Gossip will bring discord and disunity quicker than you can blink an eye.
Call out the gold in your team members. Motivating people through talking down to them is NEVER a good strategy. That’s called manipulation. Call them up higher through encouragement and love. Your team will respond far better to encouragement than to manipulation. And people can sense the difference!
What is the BENT of your team? We talked a little bit about bent in the last post. Learn what the natural talents and giftings your team has collectively. Help each other to thrive in what you are called and gifted to do. Honoring each other is one way that these giftings are pulled to the surface. It feels good to be used and appreciated for something that you excel at, right? So encourage each other in those things and watch your team grow and thrive!
And finally, ask God to use your team in new ways, inspiring them with new thoughts and new revelations. Seek God with all your heart and you will find Him.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
Constantly be asking God what is next. Keep your eyes on Him, and he will lead you!
