Goal
Having a goal can push you toward your potential. Gary Smalley gives an example of this in his book, The Key to Your Childs Heart.
San Francisco, 1957. A tall, skinny ten-year-old schemed how to sneak inside Kaiser Stadium. All year he had waited for this game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns. It represented his one chance to see his idol, Jim Brown, the all-pro running back who held almost every rushing record in the NFL.
The boy knew he could slip in when the gate guard left after the third quarter, but even then it wouldnt be easy. Ghetto life had taken its toll on the boy; malnutrition made his legs weak and bowed and he had trouble walking. He needed steel splints just to get around.
Even so he made his way into the stadium and stood right in the middle of the entrance to the players tunnel. There he patiently waited for the game to end. As the final gun went off, the wiry lad struggled to stand tall so he wouldnt miss his moment. At last he saw Brown turn the corner and walk toward him. The boy held out a piece of paper and politely asked his idol for an autograph. Brown graciously signed it, then turned for the locker room.
Before he could get away, the boy tugged on his jersey and proudly confessed, "Mr. Brown, I have your picture on my wall. My family cant afford a TV set, but I watch you on the neighbors set every chance I get. I know what your records are and I think youre the greatest. Youre my idol."
Brown put his hand on the boys shoulder and thanked him before heading to the locker room. But the boy reached up and tugged Browns jersey again. Brown turned and looked into the boys big brown eyes and asked impatiently, "Yes?"
The boy cleared his throat and said matter-of-factly, "Mr. Brown, one day Im going to break every one of your records."
"Whats your name, son?" he asked.
"Orenthal James, sir," the boy answered, "but my friends just call me O.J."
In 1973, O.J. Simpson broke Browns long-standing single-season NFL rushing record and became the first player to gain more than two thousand yards rushing in one year. He was second behind Brown in yardage when injuries forced him to retire.1
Having a goal early in life, and pursuing it vigorously helped O.J. Simpson become one of the greatest running backs to play football.
A goal is defined as something toward which you direct your efforts in order to achieve a desired outcome.
In 1 Corinthians 13 the word love occurs throughout. Many people think of love only in the romantic sense, but here in the Bible it has a different meaning. It means you should strive for the best interests of others. Love is crucial to effective teamwork.
The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 explains the importance of love. Ive summarized his conclusions along with an athletic paraphrase.
Without love
my words are empty.
my speeches and interviews mean nothing.
my life is empty.
my games and practices are empty.
my gains are empty.
my trophies, championships, and money will count for nothing.
How to Assist Your Teammates
1 Corinthians provides a list of principles on how you can seek your teammates best interests. Applying these principles will create a climate for teamwork to grow and develop.
Be patient (1 Cor. 13:4a). Real love doesnt have a short fuse. No matter how unfair or mean your teammates get, you need to be slow to anger.
Be kind (1Cor. 13:4a). You need to be helpful to your teammates. Even if it means helping someone who plays your position, you need to be helpful. Being kind means being slow to criticize or condemn.
Dont be jealous (1Cor. 13:4b). Dont burn with envy for the person who seems to get more attention or play ahead of you. Being an offensive lineman on a football team isnt always easy. They are often overlooked and seldom appreciated for their efforts. Even if your circumstance is lousy, you need to be glad for your teammates abilities and opportunities.
Dont brag (1 Cor. 13:4b). Boasting only creates problems between teammates. It doesnt mean you cant receive recognition and awards, but when you do it, do it without drawing undue attention to yourself.
Dont be arrogant (1 Cor. 13:4c). Dont strut around with an inflated ego. Dont look down or cut down your teammates who havent accomplished what you have.
Dont be rude (1 Cor. 13:5a). If you care about your teammates you will do and say the right thing at the best time in a tactful way.
Dont be selfish (1 Cor. 13:5a). Successful teams understand the need for unselfish players. When players demand that their interests come first they cause others to feel resentful. Teamwork needs selfless individuals who are willing to give up their own interests when it will benefit others.
The 1991 Chicago Bulls are a great example of a team that was willing to put aside their won self interests for the team. Before winning the NBA Championship against the Lakers, Michael Jordan was considered one of the best players to ever play basketball. One of the few things he had not accomplished was to be a part of a championship team. During the series against the Lakers, he continued to score points, but he involved his teammates more by passing up shots he might otherwise have taken himself. The Bulls swept the Lakers in Los Angeles. Jordans selfless play played an important part of the impressive win by the Bulls.
Dont get angry (1 Cor. 13:5b). A person who cares about their teammates is not easily angered. Dont become irritated with your teammates and let bitterness creep into your relationship.
Dont hold onto anger (1 Cor. 13:5c). Dont mentally hold onto resentment toward a teammate because of something hes done. Forgive them for what theyve done.
Dont take pleasure when others have done wrong (1 Cor. 13:6a). When one of your teammates breaks the rules, you should feel sorrow for his wrongdoing.
Be truthful with your teammates (1 Cor. 13:6b). Be honest and open. This isnt always easy, but its better to hurt a teammate a little now than have them hurt more later. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:6).
Support your teammates (1 Cor. 13:7a). Even if your teammates let you down, support them. Real love is able to survive even if your teammate blows it. Your friendship for them should not be fickle or conditional.
Trust your teammates (1 Cor. 13:7b). You dont need to be gullible, but dont be suspicious and cynical. Give your teammates the benefit of the doubt.
Expect and look for the best in your teammates (1 Cor. 13:7b). Be confident that God has the ability to change them.
Stand tough with your teammates (1 Cor. 13:7). Keep going no matter what the odds. Refuse to quit. Dont give up on your teammates.
Forgive and forget your teammates mistakes. Everybody blows it sooner or later. If you dont believe it, take a look at one of the NFL football blooper films. These films show pro athletes who run the wrong way, drop simple passes, and fall on their faces. If a pro athlete can make mistakes with the best of motives, so can your teammates.
The principal of forgiveness is found in Ephesians 4:31-32, which says:
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. The idea is that you are to forgive othersas God in Christ also has forgiven you."
Jesus made it clear to Peter that forgiveness is a way of life. " Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven time? Jesus answered, I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:21-22).
In addition to forgiving, it is important to forget. Dont fume about your teammates mistakes. Forgetting means:
Refusing to keep track of their mistakes.
Dont keep score (1 Cor. 13:5).
Be bigger than the offense (Ps. 119:165).
Refuse to hold onto any judgmental attitude (Matt. 7:1-5).
In other words, remembering Gods perspective involves overlooking your teammates mistakes.
There is no doubt that the power of teamwork can multiply the performance of your team. Not all your teammates may be Christians, but as you act in their best interest, God will provide you an important opportunity to earn the right to share your faith. |
