Tug-Of-War, the game which uses individual strength, to produce mass power, in order to obtain control. Strategy: Put your strongest team mate as the anchor, and taper down in strength. The objective: Pull the flag far enough on your side to cause the point man to crossover leading to their defeat. The thing about this game is that it’s not the strength of one that wins the game, its the overall unity of the team that gains the control.
Often families play this game Tug-Of-War in life. They start out working together to keep the family flag of unity on their side; however, the opposing team is The World, and that team has a powerful pull! It’s a team where division is promoted through a facade of individualism, and their anchorman is a powerhouse media storm that promotes as long as it’s not harming anyone it’s ok.
The deception from the opposing side is their strength. Through television, music, magazines, and the internet, it appears as though everyone is on Team World! Team Family is picked off one member at a time, as the opposing team gains more strength, and Team Family weakens. Eventually, the family tumbles from division.
Our family hasn’t been immune to this life game of Tug-Of-War. We have watched as members of our team, at different times, have gotten awfully close to the line. We have had our moments when we’ve stumbled, but were all still on one team!
I am convinced our success has come from the Lord, our anchorman. However, victory isn’t a guarantee just because He’s on the team. We are always susceptible to falling, because Tug-Of-War is a team sport. In the game, the anchorman is the one with the most individual strength, but he doesn’t control the game. The same is true in life. God has the greatest strength, and is all powerful, but He won’t control our lives. We are still given free will to choose whose side we want to play on. We are not forced to remain on one team or the other; however, we must choose, we cannot play both sides!
I believe four things have helped sustain our family in this game:
Prayer and Repentance: They are the invisible power that fuels our team. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16
Forgiveness: Being quick to forgive lightens the load, then we aren’t carrying around extra baggage to weigh us down! Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13
Acceptance: We know that none of us on the team are perfect, so we accept one another for who they are and what they are not. Demonstrating all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love. Eph. 4:2
Unity: We have each other’s back, because if we don’t someone else will take our place. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Eph. 4:3
…Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. Luke 11:17