The “Dream Team” was the nickname given to the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team. It was the first American Olympic team to feature active NBA players, and the results were awesome. As they dominated their way to the gold medal, they beat their opponents by an average of 44 points! Since the Dream Team, the United States has had numerous teams with the best and most talented players, but USA Basketball has never able to repeat the Dream Team’s success.
We always think the best team consists of the best players. However, the best team is about getting the right players. In the movie Miracle, U.S. Olympic Hockey coach, Herb Brooks, has a classic line when he is selecting the 1980 team. He says to his assistant coach Craig Patrick, “I’m not looking for the best players, Craig. I’m looking for the right ones.”
If you could assemble your own Dream Team, who would be on it? Who are the right teammates who will build you up when you’re down, pick you up when you stumble, guide you when you’re uncertain and confront you when you’re out of bounds? Who will walk with you through thick and thin, pouring God’s wisdom into your mind and heart?
Building your Dream Team is what the Christian life is about. Getting the right people on your team and understanding the role they play is essential. The Dream Team has four key relationships: Walker, Warriors, Watchmen and Workmen. It’s the perfect blend of mentoring, accountability and discipleship.
The Walker is you. This is your personal relationship with Jesus. You are the only one who determines whether you move closer to or farther away from Jesus. Pursue Him with everything you have.
The Warrior is a peer. This is a friend or two who you will do life with, shoulder-to-shoulder. We need someone who will love us enough to hold our feet to the fire and help us pursue our purpose! When you have a Warrior, you become their Warrior as well.
The Watchman is a mentor. This is someone who is season or two ahead of you. Find a godly person who can invest wisdom in you. When you have a Watchman, you become their Workman.
The Workman is a disciple. You simply pour into them what God has poured into you. All of us have so much to offer. You don’t have to be perfect to invest in others, just willing. When you have a Workman, you become their Watchman.
With these key four relationships, it will be increasingly more likely that you live the life you’re made to live. However, Proverbs 18:1 warns us not to isolate ourselves, because we will make foolish decisions and waste time. Isolation is the silent enemy and always ends in regret. These relationships have the power to help us fulfill our potential and live on purpose, but if we distance ourselves from these relationships, we will crash and burn.
So be intentional about assembling your Dream Team! Ask God to reveal to you who needs to be a part of it. You’ll be amazed as you and every other person on your Dream Team begin to live out a passionate, unstoppable faith in Jesus Christ.
