TEAMMATES!

READY
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that 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 12:21-26

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:44-47

SET
University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball coach Pat Summitt coached 1306 games, winning 1098 of them. However, in 2011 she was diagnosed with early onset dementia. At the time, she was the winningest college basketball coach of all time - men or women - period. When she made the announcement she said she would attempt to continue coaching as long as she could. She continued to coach until 2012 and she passed in 2016.

It was a shocking announcement at the time as she had always seemed indestructible. However, that is a lie, even the strongest of men and women still face challenges in life. As the news of her illness unfolded, one thing stood out, and that was the support that Summitt received from others.

One of her athletes, junior guard Taber Spani, made this statement: “As players and coaching staff, we’re in this; we’re all together. This is something we’re going to come together as a group on.”

Throughout her career at UT, Taber Spani had been up-front about her personal faith in Jesus.

As Christians, it is our responsibility and honor to bring the love of Jesus to those around us who are hurting or in need and to be His hands and feet for them as they face their battle.

Spani hit the nail on the head by saying they were in it together. They came together in support of their coach and found new depths of camaraderie and teamwork in the process.

As followers of Jesus, this needs to be us! This means you and I!

In life, we are all parts of various “teams.” Whether those are athletic teams, coaching teams, or other ones such as families, extended families, circles of friends and classmates, even churches or in business. These teams all operate on the same concept of working together as a group and offering mutual support. This is also a concept that was highlighted in the Bible many times when referencing the Body of Christ. God intends life to be lived out in a total team effort.

If lived properly, no one should be in it alone - not when there is a world full of Christians who are called to serve Jesus by serving others. As His representatives here on earth, it is our role to come alongside those who are struggling and offer them God's love and support.

Think about your “teams” today.

Are one of your teammates, friends, coworkers or family members struggling? My fellow coaches and I have been uplifted when we watch teammates encourage and support their fellow athletes during drills. Now we all need to take it to the next level, we need to encourage and uplift our teammates off the field. We each have much more happening in our lives off the field than on it, and we need our teammates in life to be there for us as well. This is how we represent Jesus.

To do this, we need to ask questions about how they are really doing. Not as a way of saying hello, but as a way of truly wanting to know what is going on in life. Then take the opportunity to put your faith into action by truly listening to them and rallying around them, encouraging them, and offering your help.

It’s a blessing and a responsibility to be the love of Jesus to others. Through your actions, others will be able to see and experience the love that God has for them and will be encouraged to trust Him through the challenges in life. People must see God in us. Christ in us. In this we can be a light to the world.

GO

1. Think of a time when you’ve been in need and others came alongside you to offer support. How did that make you feel? What could you learn about Jesus through that experience?

2. How does supporting others and working as a team demonstrate God's love?

3. Is there someone in your life who needs your support? How can you rally around them and show them the love of Christ?

WORKOUT

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:3-7

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 14:31