Core scripture: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Message: Remember Tetris?  Of course you do.  The popular video game challenges your mind to place all the blocks to perfection.  Locking them all together in unity.  As one.  There is nothing like finding that perfect match!

Tetris is my life now.  Human Tetris.  You might experience it by packing a car for vacation, but for me it has become a daily job.  Allow me to explain.

I am now working the midnight shift at Amazon.  I awake at midnight, make my coffee, do my quiet time, and I am off to work at 1:00 am.  For seven hours, I sort packages that come shooting at me from a long conveyor belt, and then the last three hours is putting those bins on a large cart to ship out. 

As I take a much-needed deep breath on my day off, I reflect on some thoughts I want to share with you about my new job. 

Amazonians (as we are referred to) all have a plan on how to get those packages shipped out.  The packages and letters come in all shapes and sizes.  Each one is assigned to a square bin that is about two and a half feet long by two and a half feet high.  There are so many tricks I have learned through my two weeks …

• Begin by separating the packages from the letters.
• Big packages always go first.
• As the bin gets fuller, make use of every inch of space.
• Rearrange as needed.

It has been baptism by fire.  I have failed on numerous occasions, but I am learning from my mistakes.  I have likewise been blessed to work alongside many teammates who are willing to help the newbie get the job done right.  One man in particular has taken me under his wing.

I noticed Steve stand out from day one.  He was a machine.  There was a sense of urgency in getting the job done right in him.  I think he saw me watching him.  His heart was so big that he began to mentor me in a loving way, walking me through his tricks of the trade that made life easier.

Steve selflessly threw his own agenda out the window to help.  He helped me problem solve, not by doing it for me but by guiding me in doing it myself.  All the while, his encouragement was comforting.  As I was beating myself up for not performing up to par, he was filling me with praise. 

I needed that!

Gradually, I began to get the hang of things.  There were times I felt alone on my own aisle in the warehouse, but every time I felt like I was drowning, there was Steve, helping me out.  He would appear like superman out of the blue!  And within ten minutes I would be caught up. 

Although Steve was there, it wasn’t just him; there were plenty of others too.  Amazon works on a teamwork basis, and when one of your colleagues is drowning, you throw them a life raft.  You knock it out together.  As one.  All united to fulfill a single mission: to get those packages delivered on time in the most efficient manner possible.

Peter knew the importance of being unified.  In 1 Peter 3:8 he states, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”  The early church needed this!  Without their perseverance in staying driven to share the message of Jesus, Christianity might have dissolved as quickly as a puff of smoke on a chilly morning.

I am so blessed to have a job.  So blessed to have phenomenal teammates that care about me.  So blessed to know that my mistakes do not define me.  There are times I get discouraged, but in the end the power of my team pulls me through. 

As teachers, you can learn so much from this!

1. Take time to mentor others.  If you have never taken on a student teacher, give it a shot.  I never had that opportunity, but at the same time, I never sought it out. 
2. Encourage those who are sinking.  I don’t know where I would be without the love of my teammates at Amazon.  Their loving smiles pick me up when I am down.  Be that encouragement to educators around you!
3. Be united in mission.  Your mission is to prepare your students for the life ahead of them and master curriculum.  Whatever your role may be, play it well, and do it not for your own accolades but to glorify the Lord.
4. Allow the Lord to share your burdens.  There are times in education when the conveyor belt is thrusting challenge after challenge at you.  Don’t get discouraged!  Jesus is there with you every step of the way, and He will lighten your load.
5. Play your role.  Just like every Amazonian has a job, teachers do likewise.  Don’t feel like you need to do everything.  Trust your teammates!  Help them as needed, but focus your heart on what YOU need to do. 

Scripture to reflect on: Journal or discuss the following scripture …

• “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
• “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
• “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
• “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Just for fun: When stowing packages at Amazon, you scan packages and take them to the bin that is lighting up.  I saw those lights in my head on break yesterday!  There I was, taking a few minutes to sit down and relax, but the lights were still there.  Flashing brightly.  Taunting me.  Telling me I still had MORE packages to put away. 

I think it is only a matter of time before I have an Amazon dream like I used to have teacher dreams.  A monster conveyor belt would be firing packages at me like a lethal, never-ending hailstorm.  The “you have too many packages” alarm would be blaring, and I would be moving like a sloth stuck in quicksand. 

Just the thought of that nightmare sends shivers down my spine!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for unifying us in our mission.  Give us your eyes to see others who are struggling so we can help them.  Help us encourage others to keep fighting the good fight, embracing whatever role You have them playing for the good of your kingdom.  Amen.