“A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.”

Tom Friedman wrote in yesterday’s New York Times about the need to collaborate to solves big problems.  He contrasts how Silicon Valley works so well with companies, innovators and entrepreneurs working together to advance the agenda of technology and innovation, to the lack of collaboration of our government representatives. He posits that without collaboration that the big issues we face will not be overcome.  He is right about Silicon Valley.  Even though there is a great deal of competition here, there is still an overarching shared sense of optimism and willingness to assist each other to move bigger things forward.  Friedman quotes LinkedIn Founder and Chairman, Reid Hoffman when he calls this “co-opetition”. It is true that we all need each other and even competitors need to work together to solve bigger industry problems.  This is why it always best to be on the best terms with those we compete and always be open to the idea of “co-opeting”.

As believers we will many times think that our cooperating and collaborating should be in times of need and help.  If that is the only time we are fellowshipping or spending time with other believers then we are missing blessing and opportunities to grow from these positive and encouraging interactions. Yes, we have to be there for each other when the boat needs filling but let’s also be sure that we are there for each other when we see the beginning of the opportunity, when the fish are about to start running.  In our workplaces, there is always someone who needs to know that we will welcome cooperation and not let our competitive nature overtake the giving of ourselves. This example could well be what opens the opportunity for us to share why we are who we are and what it means to bring glory to God in our work.

Reference: Luke 5:7 (New Living Translation)