Not Exactly a Team Effort

Mention professional basketball, and the name that inevitably comes to mind is Michael Jordan. His illustrious career includes being named “Greatest North American Athlete of the 20^th Century” by ESPN, “Athlete of the Century” by the Associated Press, and an induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame. He led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA national championships. There has never been another player like Michael Jordon.

One of his teammates, Bill Wennington, played alongside Jordon against the NY Knickerbockers in Madison Square Garden in 1995. Jordan stacked up 55 points that night against the Knicks. The game was tied with 14 seconds left to play. Jordan drove the ball down the court, but with two men on him could not make the shot. He passed the ball to a wide open Wennington, who easily dunked it. As the players later celebrated their victory in the locker room, Wennington was heard to remark: “How about that? Michael and I combined for 57 points.”

The remark was made tongue in cheek, of course. But it does amaze me how often we express that very sentiment when it comes to serving the Lord.

We can mistakenly believe that God needs us to do things just right in order for His will to be accomplished. I have a friend who is getting interested in the things of God after reading Redskins coach Joe Gibb’s biography. He has begun to read a Bible. He even picked up a copy of Lee Strobel’s Case for Christ. As he shares his investigation into faith with me, I am almost paralyzed in my responses. I am fearful to say the wrong thing and negate the work the Holy Spirit is so obviously doing in his life. Frankly, I struggle to trust in the power of God.

The Lord has always been clear about being the power source for victories accomplished in His name. Soon after leaving the Red Sea, the Israelites were confronted with a hostile enemy at Rephidim. Moses sent Joshua to lead a hand-picked band of fighting men into battle. As the fighting raged in the valley, Moses positioned himself high on the hillside. When his hands were held high in supplication for God’s intervention, Israel prevailed. When in exhaustion he lowered his hands, they would begin to lose. Seeing this, Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses, holding up his hands for him. Israel was given the victory, and all understood it was by the power and grace of God.

Years later, Joshua reminded his people of God’s intention to win their battles for them. “For the Lord has driven out great and strong nations from before you; as for you, no man has stood before you to this day. One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you.”[1] The responsibility for winning any of their battles would always rest on the shoulders of God.

Jonathan, son of King Saul, knew God’s ability to win His own battles well. While his father and the rest of the Israelite army hid on the hillside, Jonathan decided to approach the Philistines, accompanied only by his armor-bearer. “Come,” he told his companion, “let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.”[2] The Lord honored Jonathan’s trust and empowered him to slay twenty Philistines upon his arrival. Word spread quickly through the enemy camp. The previously intimidating Philistines turned tail and ran.

Over and over in Scripture, God rescues His people from seemingly overwhelming circumstances. Why does God tend toward using the weak and vulnerable? He wants to fight our battles for us. He works in our hopeless situations in order to display His power, not through our strength, but through our weaknesses. There can be no doubt of the power source as He wins our battles for us.

So get rid of any illusion you might have that God needs you or your talent. It’s all about His power anyway. Ironically, we are the most usable when we understand it is not up to us. He wants us helpless at His feet, acknowledging our need for Him in every situation. He desires that we fix our gaze on Him, not on our own attributes. The most effective contribution is not about our strength or our ability. Rather it is in our determination to rely on His strength and love Him above all else.

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[1] Joshua 23:9-10, NASB

 

[2] 1 Samuel 14:6, NASB