“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” — Matthew 16:24
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“Together Everyone Achieves More!” This is a popular acronym (T.E.A.M.) used by leaders to motivate their team. Whether in sports or business, getting a group of people of different personalities, backgrounds and circumstances to achieve the same purpose can be a daunting task. There are challenges and conflict, but if the team wants to be successful, they must learn how to work together.
I recently came across videos of a team worshipping before they headed out of the locker room for their game. All week long they practiced, watched film and studied their opponent, each individual doing their job to be able to accomplish one goal: win. What was amazing was the unity you could hear in these young men’s voices. They were all honoring God and putting Him first, giving God the glory for the opportunity to play the game they love. No matter what the outcome of the game was going to be, they had already won as a team. The oneness they had from singing in unison, praising, lifting their hands and worshipping God showed how they were more about the team and less about themselves. There was a love for one another that created the team’s unity.
Today’s verse reminds us of the ultimate team we are a part of: Team Jesus! For us to be on His team, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. He is calling each of us to be in oneness with Him.
Yes, there is work involved and a weight to carry, but by being in unity together we can achieve more. If our purpose and calling in life is to fulfill the Great Commission and to spread His Gospel to every person, then we must work together. We work together by loving one another. Jesus loves us and we show this love to others through the grace and mercy He gives us.
Jesus is calling each of us to follow Him. So why not today? If you feel like you’ve been on the sidelines, make the choice to be on His team today. Call out to Him, “Put me in Coach!”
— Yen K. Duong
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