Monday, November 10, 2008

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--

5 gracious comments:

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

Great analogy, Shonda! I love to see God's Word tied in with everyday life like this.

I'm not sure I could say what position I play. Sometimes I feel like the one who's protecting the one with the ball. Sometimes I feel like I'm running the ball (in prayer or when teaching my boys), and sometimes I can see where I've been on the defense...keeping our belief system safe and in check.

Maybe we're all those players at one point or another in our own individual life.

Shonda said...

Chel,
I agree with you. I play different positions depending on what The Coach tells me to do. Sometimes it is teaching, other times I'm on defense interceding, and so on. I do think we play various positions at one point or another. Blessings to you in Christ our Lord.
Shonda

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Shonda..

(((Hugz))) Very good analogy indeed. What a wonderful way also to explain this to our children who sometimes feel bad because they feel they did not contribute enough to a game, or had only a small part in a play.. whatever the part big or small everyone was needed to make it a success. I will keep this as a reminder for my little grandchildren if they satrt to feel this way. Good to see you sistah!!

Hugz Lorie

Starla said...

Great post and I not really sure what part I play. I pray for people so maybe I would be consider a prayer warrior. Sometimes I teach, but that is not very often.

Jennifer said...

Your blog is so beautiful! I enjoyed your football analogy. I look forward to following your thoughts.

Jennifer
http://jennifer-asag.blogspot.com/