Teamwork

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV)

For 16 seasons, Brett Farve wore green and gold, leading the Green Bay Packers as quarterback to 7 division championships, 4 NFC championship game appearances, 2 Super Bowl appearances and 1 Super Bowl victory. Farve’s best selling uniform identified him with the Packer fans who loved and cheered him on with abandon all those years when he stepped on the field. For many, Brett Farve was the Green Bay Packers.

But in 2009, Farve signed with the Minnesota Vikings, a long time rival of the Packers. Farve was no longer wearing green and gold, but purple, gold and white. I remember watching his return to Lambeau field, the home of the Packers when the Vikings played there. As their formerly beloved quarterback took the field wearing the uniform of the Minnesota Vikings, the Packer fans first sat in stunned silence, but then roared a resounding boo. The same fans that cheered him on for 16 seasons realized that the hero, “Mr. Packer”, was no longer theirs! Farve looked like a Viking, played like a Viking, and led his team to victory at Lambeau field once again, only this time as a Minnesota Viking. Once he put off the green and gold, and put on the purple and gold, there was no turning back.

In Colossians chapter 3:9-10, Paul is writing to people who have identified themselves as followers of Jesus. He is not talking about identifying ourselves by our clothing, but by our character. “For you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourself with a brand new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ”. When you make the decision to follow Christ, you can’t wear two uniforms. You must put off the “old uniform” of anger, rage malicious behavior, slander and dirty language) , and put on your “new uniform” of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. But the most important part of this new uniform is Love, it’s what binds us all together in perfect harmony.

- Kathy Grubbs

Teamwork

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

Being a team player requires us to commit to a better purpose outside of our own gain. It requires a deep change inside that compels us to act differently. Teamwork is created over time and is the product of practice, trust, and vision. Can you think of the best team you were ever apart of? Maybe that team won every game, or maybe they didn’t win a game all. Great teams don’t solely boil down to statistics and records. The best teams boil down to the players that bought into the system and strived towards the common goal.

Great teammates realize that they are only as strong as their weakest link. When I was an underclassman in high school, our best distance runner, a three time All-American, had a season ending injury. The 4x800 team had high hopes to qualify for states that year and throughout the season the coaches searched for someone to fill the All-American’s spot. After getting a chance to run the 800 for the first time that season, I began to train with the rest of the relay team. I never felt compared to or judged by the position that I filled. My teammates had a greater purpose than winning and they didn’t just look out for their own interest. Instead, the team supported me and trained me to be the best I could be.

In whatever we do this week, I hope that as a group we can start to put the interests of others ahead of our own. It can be really hard to search our own hearts and realize what our true motives are. How much different would our world look if we became great team players at work, home, and in our communities?

- Matt Simmonds