“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
– 2 Corinthians 6:14 (ESV)

When we work together, common people can achieve uncommon results. There is a story about a man who was lost while driving through the country. As he tried to reach for his map, he accidentally drove off the side of the road into a ditch. Though he wasn’t injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So, the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help. “Warwick can get you out of that ditch”, said the farmer pointing to an old mule standing in the field. The man looked at the decrepit old mule and looked at the farmer who just stood there repeating, “Yep, old Warwick can do the job.” The man figured he had nothing to lose. The two men and the mule made their way back to the ditch. The farmer hitched the mule to the car. With a snap of the reins, he shouted, “Pull Fred! Pull Jack! Pull Ted! Pull Warwick! The mule pulled that car right out of the ditch. The man was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule on the backside, and asked, “Why did you call all of those names before you called Warwick?” The farmer grinned and said, “Old Warwick is just about blind. As long as he believes he’s part of a team, he don’t mind pulling.”

The Apostle Paul warns believers about “teaming up” with unbelievers in business and in marriage. He isn’t telling us to isolate ourselves from unbelievers, but to avoid entering relationships that might weaken our Christian commitment, integrity, or standards. As believers, we must do everything we can to avoid situations that might force us to divide our loyalties. Old Warwick could pull with confidence because he was convinced others were pulling with him. Who do you have on your team as you do life? Most of us would be a total mess without our spouse, our family, coworkers, and friends. We work best and accomplish more when we function as a team of believers. Are there a few unbelievers on your team that need to be cut? Do you need to recruit a few more believers? Are you allowing God to lead your team?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of old Warwick. Help me to value the teammates You have placed in my life and make me a valued teammate as well. Amen.