Scripture records, “Do not be unequally yoked” (2 Corinthians 6:14). The term “Yoked” means, “Being attached”. Before we had such conveniences as tractors, bobcats, and winches, farmers would use oxen, horses, and mules to plow the fields and as a conveyance from home to church and school. While all three animals are more than enough to plow with, putting together an ox with a calf, horse, or mule would lead to disastrous results. In the same way, when a studious student is paired with a lazy student in the hopes that the lazy would learn from the studious, the opposite occurs. It may sound like God wants us to live in “echo chambers” or stay in our racial groups but that is not true. The truth of the matter is the success or failure of a team rises and falls on our choices.

The measurement of a team or marriage is predicated on the strengths and weaknesses of each member. When a leader builds a team, he/she will or, should, find people who complement the team by the skills he/she brings and diverse ideas. Marrying for money, political clout, and/or looks is like adding a person who is known for causing trouble into a team because both will eventually lead to a crisis at the most inopportune time. It is said, “There is no ‘I’ in team …” (Shaquile Oneil). When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples, he sent them out in teams of two. The teams were put together by Jesus not by chance and because of it, the teams were successful (). In the same way when we consider the prospect of marriage, most certainly we can pick our spouse just as we can pick our fate but a computer is a horrible replacement for seeking our father’s will.

My encouragement for you today is that if you are seeking success in a venture, a marriage, and/or project is, “Seek God’s face for it by spending quality time in prayer (Proverbs 3:4-5). How long will it take? As long as it takes because God is never in a hurry and nor should we.

HIS

Mike