My sons are both pilots in the U.S. Air Force. I have visited many of the bases where they have served. Today was another chance for me to learn a little more about their jobs. I had the privilege of taking a guided tour of my son's Air Force base by the Airfield Manager. As he was showing us the flight line from a different perspective than I had seen before, I was again reminded of the cooperation that is mandatory between military personnel.
Everyone in the military community seems to have some understanding of what the rest of their team does. Cooperation and big picture awareness is a trait of all Air Force personnel.
Base commanders are expected to see everything from the standpoint of the workings of the entire base; however, their operations are part of the workings of the entire U. S. Air Force. Squadron commanders are not only concerned with their own squadrons, but must coordinate with the other squadrons on base.
Pilots see things from a unique perspective but they know that their safety depends on every other person on the team, especially maintenance personnel. Without people dedicated to taking care of the airplanes, the pilots would not be safe. Pilots are trained to recognize when something is wrong with the airplane, but keeping them airworthy is the assignment of the maintenance personnel.
Airfield maintenance is another category altogether, but a very important one. The flight line must be clear of debris and maintained so that take offs and landings can be made safely. The controllers in the tower have a most important job as they are must be aware of everything that is happening on the ground and in the air. Teamwork is a necessary part of being safe, being productive and doing the assigned job.
This same teamwork principle is practiced in team sports. Baseball, football, soccer and many other sports give examples of the necessity of working together. That should also be the case in business and politics. The many examples of breakdowns in business and government are largely due to the inability to work as part of a team.
Being part of a whole is God's plan for the church, His family. We are part of a family, a team, a body. When Christians follow His guidelines, His body functions as it should. When some in the Body of Christ do not cooperate with the rest of the church, it becomes dysfunctional. Not only can we learn from each other. We need each other to accomplish His will.
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another (Romans 12:4-5).
About Me
- Stephanie B. Blake
- As I speak internationally to English speakers as well as through an interpreter, some of my greatest joys have been speaking to groups where participation from the audience is possible. Not only do I value the input of those in my conferences, but if they are actively involved (share testimonies, participate in prayer, read Scripture aloud), it is obvious that everyone is with me. I am interested in theological study, Christian writing, historical application of Biblical principles as well as writing as a craft and the current status of the publishing industry as a whole. As a result, I find myself following blogs of those whom I have learned to trust who contribute information in those fields. It occurred to me that blogs are the internet equivalent of audience participation in a conference setting. So, this blog is a result of that discovery. As much as possible (sometimes when I travel I do not have internet access), I will be making weekly posts of how everyday life is related to what God has revealed about Himself in His Word - maintaining one focus on that most important relationship. I would welcome your participation.
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