Teamwork

Today we watched one grandson play high school football and tomorrow we will watch another grandson play baseball. It is always good to support our grandchildren in whatever they enjoy doing. Our family has always been a sports family, with kids and grandchildren playing a variety of sports. We’ve also enjoyed drama, ballet, singing, robotics competitions and other performances, not just sports.

Children can learn a lot participating in team sports. They can learn discipline, selflessness, dedication and hard work. But one of the most important things to learn from sports is teamwork, working together to become a productive and efficient unit. Great sports teams have exhibited tremendous unity on their way to success. Teamwork does not come naturally, it must be encouraged by the leader and worked at by all team members.

One of the last things that Jesus did before His crucifixion was to encourage unity amongst His disciples. First, He washed the disciples’ feet. By this He demonstrated that humility is required for unity. Jesus also prayed that the disciples would be unified as one, just like the Father and Jesus are one. John 17:11 records part of His prayer when it says, “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” This type of unity cannot be generated from within us. We must rely on the Father to keep us and give us love for one another.

It is about time that we see this type of love and unity from the followers of Jesus Christ. Let it begin with you and me!