Sports have always been a big part of my life. It doesn’t matter if I’m watching or playing, I enjoy every second of them. I was born near Cleveland so, I root for the Indians, Browns, and Cavaliers. I was pretty happy in 2016 when the Cavs won the NBA championship and not so happy when the Tribe lost the World Series. But that’s sports. Like any form of entertainment, it’s supposed to temporarily distract from the wiles of life.
In more recent years, sports have taken a back seat as family and other priorities have made their way forward, though they’re still in the car. One thing that has bothered me as of late is when players demand more money, on top of the millions they already make. Another is when it’s been reported that teammates are no longer getting along. They can’t even stand to be in the same locker room. What kind of message does that send? I wonder if these players hear how they sound.
A big part of sports is that it teaches us is how to get along and be a team. A group of individuals who share a common goal; to win a championship. When we are on a team, our ego is supposed to be checked at the door before entering. This is where humility is to thrive. It’s not about you anymore. You ought to do everything in your power to help your team out. It’s that sense of togetherness and unity that helps each other get through the challenges of the season. Players need to be team oriented which should show in good times and bad.
You can tell who the bad teams are when there is drama and divisiveness throughout the organization. And it shows. The good teams are the ones having fun and building each other up. Possibly even winning it all. This is exactly how the church of Christ should be. Being the team that goes all the way. Winning that championship; eternal life with God.
Everyone wants to be part of a team. We all want to feel included. It’s human nature. We need a strong support system to get through life. The church must be that for not only the family of God, but those outside of Christ. When others see the love we have for each other (John 13:35), they should naturally want to feel accepted and we can share the gospel with them.
When you have drama in your congregation, there is nothing but hard times. Churches even split up or even shut down completely over such issues. This is not how the body of Christ ought to be. Paul rhetorically asked the church at Corinth, “is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13).
The body needs to be unified. That’s how our common goal can be reached. Together. We need to check our egos at the door and help out our “teammates” in any way we can. They have struggles and joys just like us. Be humble and team oriented not only the first day of the week, but each and every day as we walk this earth. Let us all strive to enter into that narrow gate (Luke 13:24), and press toward the final goal (cf. Philippians 3:14). Together.
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