One Body 
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ…Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.  If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am only an ear and not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body? Suppose the whole body were an eye – then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything? But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it…In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary…If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.  1 Corinthians 12:12, 14-18, 22, 26

Volleyball is a team sport.  Many college teams carry a roster of 12-14 players, only six players from each team can be on the court at a time.  Of those positions only one is the setter.  A setter is considered the football equivalent of a quarterback.  They tend to run plays and act as the team leader.  The point is this: only 1 of 12 players leads the team from the court.  Some argue that the setter is the most important player on the court.  That distinction cannot be made.  For a team with only a setter would never win.  A setter needs a passer to pass the ball, and a hitter to hit the ball for the game to be played.

A coach once told me that there is a difference between a great player and a great team player.  He explained that a great player performs to the highest level of skill, but a great team player helps others around them perform to the top of their capability.  A crowd watches and responds to those they see on the court or field.  However, there are times a crowd never sees the greatest team player perform.  Many times, the best team player is the one who shows up to practice everyday, works as hard as they can, makes everyone around them better, and then cheers from the bench on game day.

How can you be a great team player as a Christian?

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GOING DEEPER:

1. Why is it easier to envy the gifts someone else has been given, than to utilize and grow the ones you have been given?

2. Take a moment to write down or think about ways that God has gifted you.  How can you use those gifts to edify the body of Christ and be a great team player?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 12:1-6; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 2:19-23

Kelly McFadden currently works at Mariners Church Southern California. She and her husband Michael are the soon-to-be parents of Campbell McFadden.


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