FCA ResourcesDevotional
Team Player
By Carl Miller
Ready
“Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.’” -- Mark 8:34-35
Set
Before an intrasquad scrimmage, I stood waiting to hear the team assignments. I was sure I would be placed on the team with the school’s best athletes, who were also my best friends. But instead, I was chosen to join the “underdog” team. In anger and disgust, I told the coach that I was going to quit and began walking off the field.
I was sure the coach would stop me, but he let me go. As I continued walking away, I thought, “What am I going to tell my parents? What are my friends going to think?” I quickly came to my senses, went back and joined the team. Guess what? Our team won the scrimmage, and I apologized to the coach for not trusting his wisdom.
In the big picture, being on God’s team means denying what we want and following Him. He strategically places us in situations in life in which we can make the greatest impact, even if this sometimes means being separated from things we want and the people who are most familiar to us.
You were created to make a difference, and your team’s ability to win may possibly lie within you.
Go
- What traits do you bring to your team that will make a difference?
- Do you deny your desires to do what’s best for your team and follow God’s plan?
Overtime
“God, help me to look past what I want so that I can use the talent You gave me to make a difference for the team assigned to me. I want to honor You in everything I do. Amen.”
Group