Given March 2010

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  “..there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 25-26).

Teamwork… it is a necessity in sports.  For the team to be successful, all members must work together helping each other; backing them up, passing off the ball, blocking, setting screens, communicating, encouraging each other, following the coach’s plan.  If members do not do their part or don’t do it well, it hurts the team.  Imagine these scenarios: four basketball players are playing defense but one is not, the first baseman in baseball decides to go get a drink during the game, the linemen in football don’t block for the quarterback, the last runner on a track relay team drops the baton.  No teamwork, no success.  You can say the same type of things in the positive realm and see where teamwork works.

How is this concept played out in Christiandom?  As it says in Corinthians, we Christians are all part on one body, the Body of Christ, and we are all expected to do our part.  We were placed in the Body with a certain job to do, (maybe several), and the Body will be successful if all members work together toward the same goal set forth by our coach, God, the Head of the Body.  But what happens if some members do not do their part?  What if there is division among the Body?  What if some parts are jealous of other parts?  What if some go off and try to start another body?  What if some gossip, (oh my!), about another member?  What if some let two or three do all the work and just sit there?  What if……?

I think you get the picture.  Today, think about YOUR part on this team, you have one you know.  We’re all called to pray, read our playbook, (Bible), and believe what it says, encourage each other, help the leadership, and be a servant to all.  Ask God what your part is.  Let’s go team!