“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” — Mark 8:34 (NLT)
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As I finished my collegiate playing days as a basketball player at the University of Houston, I started focusing on getting ready to play professionally. With only one class left to take, and a summer of training ahead of me, I dug in.
Around the same time, U of H was launching its inaugural soccer season in the fall. As summer was coming to a close, I got a phone call from the soccer coach asking not only if I wanted to join the team, but if I would play a different position than I had in the past. I had played nine years of competitive soccer as a goalie with a very successful club in Houston, but now I was being asked to become a midfielder.
I would have to sacrifice years of training for one position to become whatever the team needed. Ultimately, our overall success was more important than my individual comfort.
In Mark 8:34 (NLT), Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” I believe when we deny ourselves (give up our own way), take up our cross and follow, we become whatever the Kingdom needs.
Are you willing to do the same to become whatever the team needs?
— Fleceia Comeaux, Houston Dash chaplain
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