What would we do without rubber bands? Thomas Hancock made the first rubber bands in 1843 by slicing a rubber bottle into bands. In 1845, Thomas Perry improved them through a process called vulcanization which made them stretchier. Charles Goodyear had developed vulcanization in 1839, yet it took three inventors to apply it to this invention and make the rubber bands we have today. They made a great team.

Like a rubber band, we are often stretched by trials and tribulations. John 16:33 (ESV) says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” The difference between living as a Christ follower versus living as the world lives is much like vulcanization. The believer is stretched over and over by trials, yet every time he bounces back in shape, never losing his ability to stretch. Those living like the world are also stretched, yet they often break under the pressure because they don’t have hope. They don’t know that Jesus has already overcome the world.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit also make a great team. We desperately need all three.