Perhaps churches could take a lesson from NBA coach Gregg Popovich, who said he looks for people who “have gotten over themselves.” If a sports team expects to win, the players must work together. Certainly, some players receive more publicity and are better known than others. Team members also have different personalities and abilities. However, without unity, the team faces inevitable failure.
Each team player has a unique role to play, a unique personality, and a unique vision for each game’s outcome. Yet in the game, those distinctive characteristics must intertwine and conform to the team’s role, personality, and vision. As Kentucky’s state motto declares, every player must remember, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
If we expect to make a positive difference for God in our world, we must outgrow the infantile stage of thinking the world revolves around us. Instead, we must develop empathy for the experiences and emotions of others. We recognize the void in the lives of those who don’t know Jesus and value the gifts of other believers. Then we work with them to reach our hurting world.
Yes, some believers receive more recognition than others. Yes, we all make mistakes from time to time, and yes, God calls us to personal growth. Yet we grow best when planted together—encouraging, teaching, forgiving, and learning life lessons from one another.
Unity never negates differences. The pursuit of common goals never destroys unique personalities and preferences. And recognition and respect do not guarantee total agreement. Nevertheless, God calls us to work together to extend everlasting love and life.
Let God show you how to pursue the perfect plan for your life individually and as a member of God’s family.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and RosZie.)
Diana Derringer is author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary: 12 Dramas for Christmas, Easter, and More! She writes for several publications and enjoys traveling with her husband and serving as a friendship family to international university students. She offers life lessons from English expressions at dianaderringer.com.