Covey’s Habit #4 – Think Win/Win
Christian Habit #4 – Be of one accord
National Geographic records “Caught on Safari: Battle at Kruger” to be the most amazing nature video ever seen, and I have to agree. When I first saw this video which is about an amazing array of animals fighting for survival in a South African waterhole, I was struck with bewilderment and almost speechless. I asked my wife, Sangeetha to watch it with me, and we went through a roller coaster of emotions that can only be experienced, not explained. I’d hate to spoil the surprise for you, but for the purposes of this article, I will succinctly relay that the video goes on as follows – water buffaloes are taking a stroll, some lazing lions spot an opportunity, the lions give chase, the lions get a hold of a calf, the calf falls into the nearby waterhole with the lions hanging on, a crocodile tries to seize an opportunity, the lions emerge victorious, but wait, the water buffaloes return, now the battle ensues between the lions and the buffaloes and then … you got to see the video. It is 8 minutes long, but well worth every second.
It amazed me to see how the water buffaloes united together and would not let their young behind. The unity in them was unbelievable to say the least and with such an unity, they could take down a natural foe that usually takes them down when they are singled out. You must have heard of the saying, “United we stand, Divided we fall”. This is exactly how it is in our Christian lives as well. When we are alone, we tend to fall prey to the devil (a roaring lion), or sink to the world’s attractions and vices (like the crocodile that tries to drown its prey). But when we are united together as one, in one accord, with God and his people, there is nothing that can really stop us and the impossible becomes a norm, rather than an exception. The POWER OF UNITY is Unstoppable. Notice what God testifies about the power of Unity in Genesis 11 which records the story of the Tower of Babel. God says that because man is united in one language, one mind (one accord), there is nothing that can restrain man and anything imagined by man can be accomplished. What a powerful statement that is about unity.
Apologist Ravi Zacharias once said – When cupidity (selfishness) and self-aggrandizement is the motive, unity can be absolutely devastating. Hell does not know the fury compared to what a group of proud men and women, united in evil can finally accomplish and after all, hell then shows what really is the outworking of people trying to build a name for themselves, united in one communication.
If I may use his statement, but turn that over 180 degrees, it would state that
When selflessness and humility is the motive, unity can be absolutely reassuring. Heaven does not know the serenity compared to what a group of humble men and women, united in good can finally accomplish and after all, Heaven then shows what really is the outworking of people trying to build a name for God, united in one communication.
Point(s) to ponder:
To be a highly effective Christian, we need to be one accord (like the water buffaloes), united in mind and spirit, standing together, hand in hand with one another, and no power (lions or crocodiles) in heaven or earth, can stop us from being the Ambassadors for Jesus Christ that God wants us to be. Being united with God and his people in one accord will always result in a win/win outcome.
Acts 1:14 (KJV)
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, …
