Have you ever gone somewhere with a giant squad? There’s something about rolling with a mob-sized friend group that makes you feel invincible. Going to the movies? You own that place. Laser tag? You’re untouchable. Chipotle? I’ll have…ALL your guac.
To go even further, when you roll with the right people, everything becomes 100x better. Jokes are funnier, stories are crazier, and whatever your goal is becomes easier. If we’re being honest, sometimes we even “forget” to invite certain friends to things because we know they might ruin the vibe (too real?). But whatever the mission is, you want a dream team that knows what they’re doing, and has fun doing it.
We all have a mission, you can even call it a purpose, and the truth is: Your mission requires the right squad. Your squad will determine your destiny. It’s true, they will either keep you on mission or knock you off it. The people you surround yourself with will dictate where you end up. So, in order for you to grow into the person God created you to be and then accomplish everything He’s called you to do, you’re gonna need the right squad.
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
1. The Right Squad Will Challenge The REAL You.
You know that person in the squad that makes everything a contest? Even the dumb stuff, no matter what you’re doing- it always has to be about who can do it first or best or biggest. Well look, the right squad will challenge the real you- not the “flip this water bottle” you, but the REAL you.
The lazy you. The screw-up you. The you that needs to change. We all want to change, but no one truly wants to be challenged. The truth is in order to change you must grow, and in order to grow you MUST be challenged. So surround yourself with a squad that will challenge your motives and actions, because if not you are just dumbing and numbing yourself down.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Dull people dull people, sharp people sharp people.
2. The Right Squad Will Overcome Tough Times With You
A good crowd will roll with you, but the right squad will stay with you. The reality is life can be tough, struggles will come up. Beware of the friend who is ready to bail the moment something goes down. You need to be able to differentiate between acquaintances and friends. You might roll with one, but you do life with the other. One time, Jesus was preaching to a huge crowd on a mountain and out of nowhere he said something kind of weird.
He started talking about eating of his body and drinking of his blood. Now before you get scared… it’s a metaphor. He was talking about the meaning of communion. However, the people didn’t know that. They freaked and bailed. Jesus then turned around and saw his disciples still there, when He asked if they were leaving too, they responded, “Where else would we go?”.
They had been through so much together that they become His family, and they were loyal. It’s in the difficult times that your squad will become your brothers or sisters. It’s in consistently being there that produces uncommon loyalty. You need a loyal squad.
3. The Right Squad Will Fight For You
Having an older sibling is key growing up. Bully messing with you? Not after your older brother walks onto the playground. Here are two realities:
- There are some battles you cannot fight on your own.
- No one goes into battles alone- it’s foolish.
Now, our battle is not a sandbox brawl, but it is a battle of faith, and we need the faith of our squad. Their faith will give you the faith for your breakthrough, especially when you need it. Go read Mark 2:1-12.
Did you read it? Here’s a summary if you didn’t:
A squad made up of four crazy friends and one paralytic hear that Jesus is in town. It’s their chance to heal their paralytic friend- so even though the house Jesus is in is full, they don’t give up. They tear open some dude’s roof and lower down their paralytic friend before Jesus. Jesus sees the friends’ faith and heals the paralytic. Even if your faith isn’t there- your squad’s faith can save you.
Your destiny is determined by your squad. They’ll either make you or break you.
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Need the right squad? Join an Awakening Crew today.