Team Members

My son, Chase, plays sports. This fall he is playing football in a local prep league. He played soccer for five years, and decided to try football this fall. Though small, he holds his own pretty well. He holds several positions on the team both on defense and offence. If I were intelligent enough about football, I’d list those positions for you.

This past weekend was the first play off game leaving only two, possibly three games before the end. The selfish part of me wants to see my son make a touch down. Perhaps that is a dream every parent holds for their child. I hear parents admit it.

I prayed and asked the Lord two things last weekend. First, to keep the boys safe from injury. Second, to see Chase make a touch down. I watched the game. Our team did well winning 32 to 0. However, Chase played every defensive play and on all the special teams. Yet, very few times he played in an offensive position to receive the ball. I felt disappointed. I kept thanking God for keeping him and the boys safe. But then I started asking, “What do I need to learn from this? Lord, I thank You for keeping him safe, but why didn’t he get to play offense?”

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 combined the members of the body and has given 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 NIV

Like all players on the football team are needed, so are the members of the body of Christ. It seemed that my son contributed very little to the last game, but he is still significant to the team. That’s how we are in the body of Christ. We’re all not the quarterback, running back, or receiver who carries the ball. Some of us are the linemen, guarding the ball carrier. Praying and protecting in spiritual warfare those who share the message to others. Some of us are on special teams, ready to prepare and serve at special functions at the church. Some of us are on the defense, ready to intercept or prevent the first down so our team can carry the ball to the victory.

When a team member receives an injury, it affects the whole team. Everyone has equal concern for the other. When the team wins, everyone on the team receives honor. That’s how God put His team together.

No matter what position we hold on the team, we are indispensible! Do you realize whatever position you hold, you’re needed as a vital part of God’s team? What position do you play on God’s team?

Engrafted by His Grace--