The “Dream Team” was the nickname given to the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team. It was the first American Olympic team to feature active NBA players, and the results were awesome. As they dominated their way to the gold medal, they beat their opponents by an average of 44 points! Since the Dream Team, the United States has had numerous teams with the best and most talented players, but USA basketball has never been able to repeat the Dream Team’s success.
We always think the best team consists of the best players. However, the best team is about getting the right players. In the movie Miracle, US Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks has a classic line when he is selecting the 1980 team. He shows the roster of players who will be a part of the team to his assistant coach, Craig Patrick. Shocked at who is on the list, Craig says, “You’re missing some of the best players.” Coach Brooks responds, “I’m not looking for the best players, Craig. I’m looking for the right ones.”
If you could assemble your own Dream Team, who would be on it? We’re not talking about a sports team, but your own team of godly friends who build you up when you’re down, pick you up when you stumble, guide you when you’re uncertain, and confront you when you’re out of bounds. We all need a few steadfast friends to do life with. Who are the right teammates to ensure your personal and spiritual success? Who will be in your “inner circle,” walking with you through thick and thin, pouring God’s wisdom into your mind and heart?
…Getting the right people on your team and understanding the role they play is essential. Life gets complicated quickly, and without those key people, it can get overwhelming. When we go with the flow, we drift toward complexity. However, when we are intentional, we drive toward clarity. You can create relational clarity by defining relationships. We’ve identified four key relationship—what we call the WisdomWalker’s Dream Team—namely, Walker, Watchman, Warrior, and Workman. It’s the perfect blend of mentoring, accountability, and discipleship. Without these key relationships, it will be increasingly more difficult for you to live a life that matters—a life of influence. We need an inner circle that brings us to Jesus, because in Christ is the fullness of wisdom.
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:24–25
All you need to become a WisdomWalker is to have the personal desire and the practical discipline to walk like Jesus and make a difference in the lives of those you care about. You can be a catalyst for generational change by investing in others! Ultimately, the fruit of a WisdomWalker grows on other people’s trees.
Here’s our formula for WisdomWalkers:
Wisdom – Relationships = Nothing
No matter how much godly wisdom you have, unless it is infused into relationships, it’s worth nothing. The power of wisdom is not quantity but context. As we grow in Christ, there should be a natural growing of our relationships, because our God is a relational God. As godly wisdom increases, relationships become richer and fuller. There is always a direct connection between wisdom and relationships.
Wisdom + Relationships = Influence
However, when the wisdom of Jesus is applied in our relationships, we experience two-way influence. Influence is God’s work though us. It establishes an eternal legacy. But wisdom is only valuable if it’s lived out in relationships. Life is a team sport. We must assemble our own Dream Team with an inner circle of people whose singular goal, in everything they become and do, is for God’s glory. If you want to experience transformation in your life and relationships, it all begins with the Wisdom Walks journey…and the four key relationships .
Life is all about relationships.
Proverbs 18:1 (hcsb) says, “One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.” In other words, isolation is the silent enemy. If we distance ourselves from relationships, we will crash and burn. Most people float along and never take the time to develop a Dream Team.
Each one of us needs to be a Walker (A person who want to walk with Jesus), have a Watchman (mentor), have a Warrior (close friend), and have a Workman (disciple/mentee)…. Once you get your Dream Team assembled, you will realize the full power of WisdomWalks: Every Walker not only has these key relationships in his or her life but also plays these roles for others. You have a Warrior, and you are a Warrior. You have a Watchman, and you are a Watchman. You have a Workman, and you are Workman. And all of us are Walkers….
Ask God to reveal to you who needs to join your Dream Team. There are people already in your life who are ready and able, so start recruiting the right teammates. You’ll be amazed as you and every other WisdomWalker on your Dream Team begin to live out a passionate, unstoppable faith in Jesus Christ—both on and off the field.
Get ready for an experience so powerful it’ll transform your life, your team, your coaches, and generations to come. It’s time to get in the game!
