Pick 'em

Whenever I'm in a situation in which pairs must be created and I'm in charge of making those pairs (accountability, confession, or prayer partners usually), I always tell the about-to-be-paired, "If you don't want me to pick your partner/team for you, and you don't want to be picked last, pick someone else first." It's my way of making sure as few people as possible feel like that awkward fourth grader who always got picked last for dodgeball teams (me). I'm a fan of this model because nobody wants to be picked last, but nobody also really wants to pick someone else first.

The thing is, both nobodies here are sitting in a form of pride.

I don't want to be picked last because I want you to see that I matter, I count, there's good stuff about me and in me.

I don't want to pick you first because I don't want to need you, I don't want you to see my insecurities and pitfalls and poor leadership skills.

But sooner or later, everyone gets picked. And the game goes on or partnerships are built. And some teams are winners and some are losers. And sometimes the winners find out later that winning isn't everything, and sometimes the losers feel like crap, but they dig in hard, see where they can improve, and eventually the last really are first.

So pick someone today. Be brave. Just find someone and pick them.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Romans 12:10