“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
At some point we should all be involved in a team sport. Our culture pushes individual rights, and accolades so strongly that most of us need something to teach us unselfishness.
Many will have a “team spirit” if that will bring them individual recognition, but that is not humility. That is the equivalent of saying, “my humbleness is what makes me great”, and that statement invalidates itself.
Self-centeredness creeps into our spiritual life as well, and Paul spends this chapter telling us that we have missed the point.
The church is a team of one … We do not keep personal stats, we don’t hand out MVP awards, and we all have the same name on the back of our jersey … Nothing draws attention to us individually. We celebrate and suffer together…as one.
In fact, scripture teaches that if we do good things for others, we should do them secretly. It is as though we are to blend so perfectly into one body that the world sees a single entity where the pastor, nursery worker, and custodian are all equally important.
Arguments in the church should be the opposite of what we hear in the world. Instead of seeking recognition - we should be pushing others to the front and insisting on giving them credit.
This not only edifies the church; it is the most liberating thing you can do for yourself. There is nothing that reduces anxiety more than humility. Nothing brings freedom like elevating someone else’s needs above your own because your Father loves them.
When I coached our moto was always “an Audience of One”. And that is the key to this passage. Only God can meet your need for recognition. He is the only spectator in the stands of your life that matters.
If you recognize this it will eliminate the useless stress you have been carrying and make you a more effective member of your family, church, business, and friend group.
But most importantly it will set you free for God to use to fulfill His plans. Because in the end - the “One” who is your audience…is the only One who actually deserves applause.
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” - Harry S Truman
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