There is No “I” in TEAM

Romans 12

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

“There is no “I” in TEAM”. It’s a nice platitude, but is it practical; is it realistic?

 

I love college football and am a huge fan of my alma mater, Michigan State. This year they have three running backs, and all three are very talented. In fact, they have all started in years past and have had great games.

 

Gerald Holmes is a senior, but he isn’t the feature back. Yet he stands out to me because he’s willing to do the dirty work that doesn’t gain headlines. He is probably the best blocker of the three. And, when he’s on the bench, and there’s a big play by one of the other backs, he’s right there cheering them on. He believes, “There is no “I” in TEAM.

 

Although he didn’t use this saying, Paul urged the Romans to live by it.

 

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to

one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.       NIV

 

Any coach could quote these verses to motivate their team to play as a team and not a bunch of individuals. Any boss could encourage their employees with the same message to work as a team. Any parent could remind their children that being a family means sharing. Any pastor could preach about using your gifts for the good of the body of Christ.

 

However, human nature trends in the opposite direction. If left to their own devices, players competing for playing time do what’s best for them, not for the team. Employees bicker and backbite instead of encourage. Children argue and fight. Churches gossip and divide.

 

But God has called us to work together as a team in all of our circumstances. God has called us to love with sincerity for the good of the team; to use the gifts He has given us, for the good of the team; to sacrifice what might benefit us most, for the good of the team.

 

It is true that there is no “I” in TEAM. However, there is a “U” in the body of Christ when “you” offer yourself as a living sacrifice.

  

Therefore, I urge YOU, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.        NIV

 

 

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