View our weekly devotional archives.

August 18, 2008 - Getting After It

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of providing chapel services to basketball, football, and baseball teams.  The stresses and challenges in a professional athlete’s life are both unique and exciting.  Someone once said, “Baseball players are smarter than football players.  How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men of the field?” 

The consistent trait I observe with successful teams is that they seek to really encourage one another.
 
This past month there have been numerous “bean-ball” incidents involving key players. Usually the coach or team captain will challenge their pitchers to retaliate against the other team by throwing at marquee players.  The umpires call this “getting after it” and will often throw people out of the game if officials believe that things are getting out of hand.  Some commentators defend the retaliatory actions by stating, “He is supporting his teammates.” 

It is unfortunate that team leaders don’t realize that it is more important to inspire your fellow teammates to “good works”.  Whether it is in a game or in life we need to support and encourage one another. 

A First Century Play Caller

The Apostle Paul was a real play-caller.  He regularly challenged his followers with words of challenge and commitment.  There are times in our lives when we either need to lean on others or we need others to lean upon us.

I’m reminded of a story that helps us appreciate the comfort and sustaining power we can receive from one another. 

Sadhu Sundar Singh and a companion were traveling through a high pass in the Himalayan Mountains when they came across a body lying in the snow.  The man was barely alive.  Sadhu told his traveling companion they needed to help the stranger.  The companion felt his best chance was to move on and make it on his own.

After his friend left, Sundar placed the poor traveler upon his shoulders and slowly carried the man onward.  The high altitude and snowy conditions caused Sundar to fully exert himself.  The heat from his body warmed the victim and gradually restored life to him.  The two men struggled together and leaning upon one another they kept each other warm and encouraged.

As they neared the end of their destination they came across the frozen, dead body of Sundar’s first companion.  His independent struggle for survival had failed and he died a lonely desperate man. 

One of the lessons learned from the climbers and seen every week in any team sport, no matter how talented any player is, no single individual can carry the whole team.  Each player is dependent upon other players to do his job.

It is that way in life.  We need each other.  We are to encourage and support one another.  Have a good week. 

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:4