As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another – (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

Quarterbacks are often judged by how many championships they have won. Pitchers are the only athletes in team sports that have wins and losses listed next to their names. Superstar basketball players are always the ones to get praised or crushed after every single game.

But coaches are the ones whose jobs are usually on the line. Especially at the college and professional levels, these individuals are held responsible for everything that happens on the field and in the locker room. While much of the pressure put on them is justifiable, we often underestimate how import of an impact teams can have on each other.

Coaches are not always around in the weight room, the locker room, or even in the huddle. Although talent is obviously important, the success of any team can swing on the quality of the character of the players. When players hold each other accountable, encourage each other, and push each other, the potential for that team automatically goes to another level.

Likewise, we often underestimate the power that our brothers and sisters in Christ can have on our spiritual development. Yes, we should spend time in prayer and make the Bible a priority. However, our relationship with God is often shaped by the other believers that we spend our time with.

John Rohn says that you are the average of the five people that you spend the most time with. Are the people around you bringing you closer to God? Are they holding you accountable, supporting your ministry projects, and living lives that reflect the love of Christ? Are they setting examples that, if you choose to follow, would bring you closer to the Lord? And are you doing the same for them?

God is a very relational being. That definitely applies to us being able to have a relationship with Him. But He also deeply cares about our relationships with one another. If we are all good teammates in our faith, then our ability to share the gospel together will reach a level that we could never imagine on our own.

– Jamie Boggs

If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@pao.org.