IT’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON! Technically, the season’s almost over, but football games have been abounding in my living room for the past few months. You’d hardly even know there were any other programs on television. (In my defense, I married into college football fandom.) Since this is my husband’s favorite time of year, I’ve adopted the familiar idiom, If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Yes, I watch the games.
While I’ve been observing recent matchups, I’ve been noticing the varying positions of the different players. Of course, I’ve been asking lots of questions of my husband too, since I really couldn’t tell you the difference between a ‘safety’ and a ‘wide receiver’, but that’s beside the point. As my husband educated me on the role and importance of each position it became obvious how each working part complements the other. Various teams, as a whole, appear to function better when working together. One common element proves essential for why a team is better together and achieves ultimate success on the field.
Teamwork.
Though each player on a team has completely different roles, no one position is more important than the other. We like to hail a seasoned quarterback for his excellence in bringing his team to victory, but let’s not forget, without a talented ‘offensive line’, that quarterback wouldn’t be able to do his job effectively. Everyone on the team is necessary to each other in some way.
Like football, the body of Christ is also like a team sport. Regardless of our different talents, gifts, strengths, and weaknesses, it’s important that we function in the role we’re assigned and work together in harmony for the good of the whole. That’s how the body of Christ works!
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
(1 Corinthians 12: 12, 17-20).
There are several benefits which illustrate how we’re much stronger, and better, together. Here are a few:
- We obtain a sense of belonging.
- We empower each other.
- We learn new ideas.
- We mentor or can BE mentored by others.
- We harness our strengths to function better.
- We increase productivity.
- We gain connection and support from one another.
As part of the body of Christ, we are all necessary to each other. We have the same leader, are part of the same body, and are on the same mission alongside one another.
Let’s choose to be used in whatever role God has determined for us. By working together in the body of Christ with each other—as a team—we can accomplish great and wondrous things. And be so much better, together.
Yay, Team!
No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.
H.E. Luccock
Father God, thank you for uniting us together in the body of Christ. Help us work together to serve you faithfully according to your purpose and plans. May we reflect your mercy and grace as we build each other up in the unity of faith.
