In the beginning, there was a collaborative community.
The Father was speaking, strategically releasing the Word into the being-formed atmosphere. The Spirit was hovering, bringing life and order to nothingness. (Genesis 1:1-5).
The Word went forth to execute, giving purpose to things visible and invisible. By Him and through Him were all things made. (Colossians 1:16; John 1:1-3).
And then there’s us…
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28
WE WERE CREATED TO COLLABORATE.
We are made in God’s image. We are blessed to create, produce, multiply, overcome, empower, and thrive…together.
Every time I have the privilege of joining forces with a fellow Christ-follower, it is a powerful reminder that we are one body with many members, and every single joint is destined to supply. Regardless of what we’ve identified as our individual calling, our lives (and life’s work) fit together like pieces of a divine puzzle. Without question, we are called to link up, co-labor, grow together, and edify one another in love. (See Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:16).
WE ARE BLESSED TO COLLABORATE & CONNECT.
I used to prefer being an I-got-it kind of girl. No group projects. No delegating responsibilities or allowing others to help lighten my load.
Not anymore.
Time and trials have taught me that working together also means not walking alone. From book launches to stillness sessions, lunch-and-learns, podcasts, and album releases, I have built plenty with many. The true blessing, though, is that along the way, co-laborers became community.
CO-LABORERS BECAME COMMUNITY
These tried-and-true connections became those who hold up my arms, wipe my tears, and weather storms with me. One or two in the crew are down to ride out if need be, but I digress…
Relinquishing control made space for collaboration. Collaboration taught me to trust and appreciate the gifts, skills, and perspectives of others. Time continues to reveal who to build with and how, because life changes bring capacity shifts. That is normal and acceptable. Assess, communicate, and adjust accordingly. No love has to be lost.
COLLABORATION NECESSITATES ALIGNMENT.
There is something beautiful about teaming up with those equipped to build legacies and tear down strongholds; develop business strategies and demolish limiting beliefs; take territory and testify so transparently and truthfully that others become fully persuaded that they, too, can be free.
1 Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
The blessing of collaboration isn’t just about what is built. It is also in what is experienced, felt, witnessed, and sustained over time.
Around here, we turn living rooms into sanctuaries. Voice memos become sermonettes. We will go from kee-keeing to calling forth greatness in 2.5 seconds.
We build each other up when life's pressures weigh us down.
WITH COLLABORATION COMES ACCOUNTABILITY.
Iron only sharpens iron where the willingness to initiate hard conversations and the humility to receive truth wrapped in grace exist.
Does the work get compromised when you bump heads?
Do you hold one another to a standard of excellence that brings God glory?
Are those who watch up close and from afar aware that they’re seeing the hands and feet of Jesus at work?
Is it understood within your community that prayer and rest are vital aspects of productivity?
What is your initial response to being called out for spewing negativity?
Real confidence can tolerate feedback. Fragile confidence requires every criticism to have a villain.
Train Up a Child: Cutting to the Core to Heal Your Inner Child by Love McPherson
May we all come to know and embrace the life-transforming power of heaven-ordained collaboration.
Sincerely,
LaToya NaShae