Rowers on a rowing team are like pistons in a car engine. As long as the oil is clean, the fuel is clear, the plugs are all firing in conjunction with each other, and the timing is correct; no matter how much of a demand the driver is placing on that engine to perform- to go faster, go farther, more power, the engine will respond. After a while it seems the pistons are no longer pumping up and down, only humming. But we, the body of Messiah, are not machines; we are human. We have limitations don’t we? Do we? 

Making our own plans apart from God and in disunity with the crew He has placed us in, limits us and leaves us vulnerable. A coxswain on a rowing team may detect the one rower starting to falter. He speaks to him personally. To encourage him. To strengthen him. That he was needed to reach the goal. The coxswain is like a Barnabas, a “son of encouragement. And that is when God steps in. With unified support in team Jesus, the rower in this life can go from fatigue and despair to determination. Each one can see that they matter and are needed to pull with the team. And God will always step in, “when in hope and against all hope, we believe.” (Romans 4:18)

As Pastor Jentezen encouraged in week one of the ‘At The Movies’ series, “Unity will attract God.” May we all push on, and press farther, beloved. There is a saying in the world of team sports, “The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the one on the back!” For followers of Jesus, we are playing for the Name above all names.

Querido Padre Celestial,

I confess that many times I have been disappointed when the plans of my heart came to ruin, because they were built on foundations of sand. I thank You that You brought correction and Your purpose through authority in my life, through closing doors of circumstance, through Your Word, and through Your Holy Spirit. Help me discipline my approach to discerning Your will so I listen more carefully to the needs and input of the spiritual people You have placed in my life. Help me to realize that asking for advice and counsel from others is a sign of strength rather than a sign of weakness. Help me to trust that if I've really heard from the Holy Spirit, You will be speaking to my wise counsel about it in the same manner. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

To cover the distance between where you are today and your purpose in Christ Jesus, you will likely need to connect your purpose with others. You need the right crew, who will encourage you when you are weak, who will speak faith and not fear into your life. Today, consider who you are connected to as you seek to follow Jesus. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you: Who is the wrong crew, and how should you gain distance? Who is the right crew, and how can you move forward toward unity that will strengthen each other.