Do not think of yourself more highly than
you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance
with the measure of faith God has given you.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do
not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and
each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:3-5
It took me a long time to really understand “team.” My natural tendency was to take everything onto my shoulders because I knew it would get done – and get done to my liking. I thought of myself “more highly than [I] ought” and missed the wonder of “team.”
No one can go it alone. The percussionist cannot provide the orchestra’s melody and the bassoonist cannot carry its tempo. The infantry cannot long survive beyond its supply line, and logistics cannot function without cover. The placekicker won’t put the ball through the uprights without the holder; but for the protection of the linemen, the holder would get flattened! And let’s face it: neither John, Paul, George nor Ringo on his own ever came close to the phenomenon that was The Beatles!
We weren’t designed for mere independence. We were fashioned for something far greater, far more mature, far more effective and far more beautiful. We were built for interdependence … oneness … team. Strong enough to stand tall, yes, but stronger still to know we need each other … and even stronger to trust in the way Christ functions in each and every member of his body.
Are you carrying a heavy load in your soul? Find an intercessor, someone who eagerly prays for others. Struggling to make sense of a Bible passage? Find a mature believer who has a gift for teaching. And if you are an encourager, know that even those with the strongest faith need you! If you are a leader, create an environment in which each believer can flourish in the functions for which he or she were called and gifted.
It is Jesus' deep desire that his people live and act as one body, each with his or her own function, with Christ as the head. Let us recognize Christ in every believer, appreciate Christ in every believer, and rely on Christ in every believer.
In America, “We, the people” understand the “E Pluribus Unum” of our government. In Christ, may “We, God’s people” truly understand and embrace the “out of many, one” that is his church.
It took me a long time to really understand “team.” My natural tendency was to take everything onto my shoulders because I knew it would get done – and get done to my liking. I thought of myself “more highly than [I] ought” and missed the wonder of “team.”
No one can go it alone. The percussionist cannot provide the orchestra’s melody and the bassoonist cannot carry its tempo. The infantry cannot long survive beyond its supply line, and logistics cannot function without cover. The placekicker won’t put the ball through the uprights without the holder; but for the protection of the linemen, the holder would get flattened! And let’s face it: neither John, Paul, George nor Ringo on his own ever came close to the phenomenon that was The Beatles!
We weren’t designed for mere independence. We were fashioned for something far greater, far more mature, far more effective and far more beautiful. We were built for interdependence … oneness … team. Strong enough to stand tall, yes, but stronger still to know we need each other … and even stronger to trust in the way Christ functions in each and every member of his body.
Are you carrying a heavy load in your soul? Find an intercessor, someone who eagerly prays for others. Struggling to make sense of a Bible passage? Find a mature believer who has a gift for teaching. And if you are an encourager, know that even those with the strongest faith need you! If you are a leader, create an environment in which each believer can flourish in the functions for which he or she were called and gifted.
It is Jesus' deep desire that his people live and act as one body, each with his or her own function, with Christ as the head. Let us recognize Christ in every believer, appreciate Christ in every believer, and rely on Christ in every believer.
In America, “We, the people” understand the “E Pluribus Unum” of our government. In Christ, may “We, God’s people” truly understand and embrace the “out of many, one” that is his church.
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