Part Of The Team

Given December 30, 2008

Picture this:  A football player that has heard the play, knows what his assignment is, goes to the scrimmage line, and just stands there.  Then, after the play, asks, “Hey, why’d we lose 5 yards?”  Or this: A basketball player whose team is playing man-to-man defense stands near the sideline and watches the opposing player he’s supposed to be guarding go straight to the basket and score.  And what about this: The batter in baseball hits the ball between second and third while the shortstop, who’s standing right there, is talking on his cell phone.

Now, if you are not familar with sports, these examples may not mean much to you.  So imagine this: A regular church-goer sits in the pew week after week and wonders why his church is not growing, half the congregation is sick, and the deacons are at odds with the pastor.  “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12.  A team is a unit, a family is a unit, a church is a unit, the body of Christ is a unit.  Are you getting the picture?

We are all in this together.  Whether you know it or not, you are a part of a team.  No one is in it by themselves.  For the team to be successful, every player must do his or her job.  For the church to be what God intended it to be in the earth, every born-again member must do their part.  Sadly, too many church-goers are just that; all they do is go to church then wonder why the world is in such a bad shape.  Think about the “teams” you’re on…are you an integral part of them?  God wants you to be.