Think of a team that fires on all cylinders. Good performance and unity are inseparable. All teams work collectively and corporately. There is no “I” in team, but there is an “I” in win.

Joshua knew from past failures how to motivate his army. A unified team develops commitment to a common purpose, momentum, and loyalty. The more united the team, the better they play. The better the team plays, the more the individuals feel a sense of accomplishment. Individuals are extensions of the team.

A student of sport will understand better than a casual fan how individuals perform well because of the complementary combination of teammates.At first glance, Joshua’s rally call seems to be for individuals to do amazing things, but I am struck by the words “among you.” It does not say do amazing things “in you.”

We are pretty caught up in individual fulfillment. Self-expression, self-worth, self-esteem, and personal bests are common catchwords in the sports and business worlds. These narcissistic pop-culture themes can permeate the church like a cancer. Nevertheless, no man is an island, especially within the family of God. There is no Scripture that suggests we should go to a church just to meet our spiritual needs; yet this is sadly a common criteria for finding a church.

God created us with purpose and a unique set of skills to use in His body. We need to discover where we are useful and fit into the game plan. When we work toward the same goal, it is exciting what the Lord will do “among you.”