On the Team
“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work.”
— Vince Lombardi
I remember the moment I was chosen as a starter for our junior varsity basketball team. I was genuinely shocked—no one was more surprised than I was. I had already achieved my personal goal of simply making the team. At that point, my only hope was not to embarrass myself and, if possible, score a basket or two.
I admired the other players. They could dribble, shoot, and pass far better than I could—and they could definitely jump higher. I had no desire to be a star. I simply wanted to contribute. It was a privilege just to be there. In my eyes, my teammates were All-Stars—the JV Dream Team.
Later, when some questioned why I was starting, the coach explained it plainly: I was the only one consistently crashing the boards for rebounds—and the team needed rebounding. I wasn’t chosen because I was flashy or impressive, but because I was willing to do what the team needed.
That lesson has stayed with me.
When I reflect on the church today, I rarely see this same attitude—an attitude that understands honoring Christ means faithful service, not recognition. Consider how the apostle Paul introduces himself:
“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God”
(Romans 1:1, NASB).
Although Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles, he first identified himself as a bond-servant—a willing, lifelong slave of Christ. His significance was not found in his title, but in his submission.
Imagine what the Body of Christ would look like if we were overwhelmed by the reality that God chose us to be on His team. We should eagerly examine the Scriptures with excitement, because they speak directly about us. Scripture tells us we are strong, courageous, and chosen:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…”
(1 Peter 2:9, NASB).
David captured this humility beautifully when he wrote:
“What is man that You think of him, and a son of man that You are concerned about him?” (Psalm 8:4–5).
Yet society has minimized God by removing standards—suggesting that because everyone is a Christian, there is nothing distinctive or demanding about the faith. According to a 2024 Gallup Poll, approximately 69% of Americans identify as Christian, yet the evidence of that identity is often lacking.
That lack is rooted in a misunderstanding: there is a difference between wearing a team’s jersey and being a member of the team.
I own several Baltimore Ravens jerseys—one even has my last name embroidered on it. I like to wear it when I travel because it shows my affilia. But that jersey doesn’t come with accountability. Wearing it allows me to talk about the team without actually being part of the team.
Within the Body of Christ, this kind of surface-level association creates space for Isaiah’s warning to be fulfilled without repentance:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” (Isaiah 5:20, NASB).
Being on God’s team does not grant us the freedom to live however we choose. Instead, it grants us the responsibility and the privilege of belonging to Him.
To restore honor—true honor—is to live with faithfulness: remembering who chose us, why we were chosen, and whom we serve. Like that young player crashing the boards, our calling is not to shine, but to serve faithfully where we are needed most.
EM