When I was growing up I loved hearing stories of successful people. Whether they be successful athletes, successful diplomats, successful CEOs, or successful politicians (especially the politicians).
I have always been intrigued by ambitious people. I’ve always wanted to know what drives someone to pursue such unique careers or what motivates someone to live out these very unorthodox lives, and in some cases, world-changing careers. It’s not like it’s easy to become a CEO or a successful athlete and it’s not like anyone is guaranteed these careers and opportunities either. Yet so many want to do it, even if they experience failures and trials along the way.
At first, I thought their achievements were gained through their own hard work, their intelligence, and their innovative and creative minds – and while yes all these are true. They’re only part of the truth.
The truth is, that not one of these people could have achieved their dreams or reached their heights in their careers if it weren’t for their family, friends and community around them.
All of them had a mentor who guided them. All of them had team members willing to help build their company. All of them had friends in their respective industries and career paths that kept them accountable and motivated to achieve their dreams. Some of them may have even had the money to hire secretaries, assistants, chauffeurs and servants to do some of the work for them.
They probably had investors or donors willing to support them, they had others who they could turn to for advice. All of the world’s most successful people had a community around them. A community that was willing (although sometimes unwillingly, but paid enough) to support them.
One can work hard, one can be creative, one can be smart but unless they have others around them supporting them and guiding them, they can never reach their potential.
None of us can be self-made. None of us can do all the work ourselves. God never designed people to be self-made. God never designed any of us to possess all the talents, and all the abilities, and all the knowledge for ourselves. Instead, God dispersed these gifts among all peoples so that instead of doing the work alone, we would work in communion with each other.
In fact, the only thing God said was “not good” at creation was for “people to be alone”. (paraphrased from Genesis 2:18)
God has created us to be with others, to succeed and dream, not of our own achievements, but of our collective achievements. From a small home church to a multimillion-dollar corporation all need a community or a group of people to run properly.
No billionaire was self-made (as much as they might like to boast otherwise), no diplomat was self-made, no athlete was self-made. Just like they couldn’t be self-made, neither can you. God made us to be in community with others. God never made us to work alone.
Only through a community can we truly achieve our potential.
Only through a community can we truly fulfil what God has in store for our lives.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
WRITER: Timothy Pinzone
Tim studies International Security at Macquarie University. He writes geopolitics articles and is the youth leader at Epping church. (NSW)