Draft horses are very large, muscular animals that have been used throughout history for pulling great loads and moving heavy objects. A single draft horse can pull a load up to 8,000 lbs. So how many pounds do you suppose two draft horses, if hooked side-by-side, can pull?
If you answered 16,000 lbs., you are wrong. Two draft horses pulling together can pull 24,000 lbs!
But there’s more…
If two draft horses have been trained with one another and have worked together before, they can’t just pull three times as much working together as they can by themselves. Two trained horses in tandem can actually pull 32,000 lbs.—four times as much working together as they can by themselves. Amazing!
It’s called the power of synergy. Synergy is the interaction of elements that, when combined, produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements. What’s the lesson?
We can accomplish much more working together than by ourselves. Further, if there is coordinated and trained collaboration, we can accomplish even more when working together.
We found this out firsthand August 27.
Our rally-walk, Together4Good, was a smashing success! Nearly 300 people joined with us—our residents and their families, graduates of the program, friends of the ministry, neighbors, community leaders, and first-time guests. We gathered together for a single purpose—to express our deepest concerns over the drug epidemic that is destroying us.
We linked arms and hugged necks. We laughed and cried. We walked and danced. We shared personal stories of hurt and pain as well as victory and triumph.
We heard from the police captain of our local precinct. We heard from the field representative of our city councilman. We heard from area pastors. We were stirred. We were encouraged.
And we prayed. We prayed that addicts would find healing. We prayed that families would be reconciled. We prayed for protection over our first responders. We prayed for our city.
As Detroit goes, so the surrounding communities go. If suburbs like Warren, Northville, Lincoln Park, Bloomfield Hills, Canton, Inkster, St. Clair Shores, Rochester, Waterford, and etc. are to thrive, Detroit must be strong. That means we must defeat addiction.
And that can happen as we come together.
What happened August 27 was not an isolated event. Many positive things are going on in the city of Detroit, most of which never make the news. As one who has both lived and labored long in this city, I am hopeful. I believe our city has turned the corner and better days are ahead for not only Detroit but all of Southeastern Michigan.
To all of you who participated or gave financially, THANK YOU! To God be the glory!
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
if one falls down, his friend can help him up. . . .
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12)
