Since I first started pursuing this new adventure, my main
anxiety has spawned from one issue--fundraising. It’s common to see
advertisements that emphasize the “FUN” in FUNdraising, but I’ve never
paralleled with that. Since childhood I have always been extremely independent.
I hear stories from my parents about how I would refuse help at all cost. Even
if it meant having a lower quality product, I found pride in doing it by. my. self. I can remember playing games with my older brother growing up
when from time to time he would offer to give me a head start or some extra
points here and there. I would rather get ten run ruled, skunked, and down right
humiliated than to take any of those offers. {I’m sure I replied with a
sweet “No, thanks”} A head start, a
little help, or an extra hand was hardly ever appealing to me. I got my first
job when I was 16 and thoroughly enjoyed bringing in that tiny paycheck every
week. More recently I worked my way through college and paid for my Master’s
Degree, by myself. Not because I had to necessarily, but I wanted to. None of
this is being said to brag or be prideful {partially because most of this said
independence often led to failure and is nothing to brag about} But I say it,
hoping you can understand my anxiety surrounding this fundraising.
“If I could do it myself, I totally would,” I remember telling my dad a few months ago. If I could figure out a way to earn $36,000 in 6 months I would, but that is simply not possible. I’ll never forget his response to my statement. He said, “You can’t be selfish and try to do this all by yourself.” Selfish? I thought to myself. I’m being the opposite of selfish. I’m saying that I don’t want to burden anyone with something I’m wanting to do. How is that selfish? He went on to explain that not everyone is physically able to do what I can. But if I allow others to help, I can offer them the opportunity to still be a part of the mission, just in a different way. I began to take on his perspective and somewhat understand what he was saying, and I agreed. A lot of people are not able to pick up and move across the globe, but I can. I can do the footwork and others can team with me to make it possible. We can work together to promote the kingdom!
The Bible has a lot to say about teamwork. In 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 Paul writes, “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts yet one body. In Ephesians 4:15&16 Paul goes on to say “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” In Ecclesiastes 4:9 Solomon tell us “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Again in Proverbs 27:17 he says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
The body of Christ is a team. The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, and we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony, so that we can do God's will. Now, God has called us all to be a part of His squad. He is the head, the captain and has given us the privilege of being a part of his team. {The winning team I might add} What role do you think he has chosen you to play?
In less than a month I will step onto a plane for a 26-hour journey to the other side of the world. This is not something I can be independent and do alone. Although it is not easy, I am asking for your help. I need a team. I need prayer warriors, I need lots of encouragement, I need visitors, and I need financial support. I want you to prayerfully consider contributing to this team in the way in which you are called. No role is too small. One prayer. One letter. One gift. Let’s work together. Teamwork makes the dream work
“If I could do it myself, I totally would,” I remember telling my dad a few months ago. If I could figure out a way to earn $36,000 in 6 months I would, but that is simply not possible. I’ll never forget his response to my statement. He said, “You can’t be selfish and try to do this all by yourself.” Selfish? I thought to myself. I’m being the opposite of selfish. I’m saying that I don’t want to burden anyone with something I’m wanting to do. How is that selfish? He went on to explain that not everyone is physically able to do what I can. But if I allow others to help, I can offer them the opportunity to still be a part of the mission, just in a different way. I began to take on his perspective and somewhat understand what he was saying, and I agreed. A lot of people are not able to pick up and move across the globe, but I can. I can do the footwork and others can team with me to make it possible. We can work together to promote the kingdom!
The Bible has a lot to say about teamwork. In 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 Paul writes, “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts yet one body. In Ephesians 4:15&16 Paul goes on to say “speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” In Ecclesiastes 4:9 Solomon tell us “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Again in Proverbs 27:17 he says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
The body of Christ is a team. The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one, and we are strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony, so that we can do God's will. Now, God has called us all to be a part of His squad. He is the head, the captain and has given us the privilege of being a part of his team. {The winning team I might add} What role do you think he has chosen you to play?
In less than a month I will step onto a plane for a 26-hour journey to the other side of the world. This is not something I can be independent and do alone. Although it is not easy, I am asking for your help. I need a team. I need prayer warriors, I need lots of encouragement, I need visitors, and I need financial support. I want you to prayerfully consider contributing to this team in the way in which you are called. No role is too small. One prayer. One letter. One gift. Let’s work together. Teamwork makes the dream work
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| Fundraising Board- Dothan, Alabama, United States of America |
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| Almost Halfway to 1,500- Dothan, Alabama, United States of America |
I hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mr. Bob