This week I decided to do a follow up on last week’s Ponderings. Then, I reflected on the principle behind Warriors’ coach Kerr’s decision to make significant changes in the line-up. Now, I wish to reflect on what the changes meant for the players.
The Warriors has won the NBA finals series. The strategy of the coach actually worked for them. But when the decision to make changes was made and the games still had to be played, the players had to learn to trust the coach and to submit to his leadership. For some it meant willing to step down from a major role, and even sitting on the bench for the rest of the series. For others it meant stepping up and taking on a new role. The players willingly embraced the changes, making the necessary sacrifices and adjustments all for the sake of the team. Egos were set aside for the one goal: winning the trophy. And they did.
Every Christian is a member of God’s team to fulfill his Kingdom purpose in the world: to restore all things under the headship of Christ (Ephesians 1.9-10). Christ is the Coach who makes the plays and who decides which player does what. The New Testament makes clear that every believer has a role to play, empowered by the Spirit for each task (1 Corinthians 12.4-20; Romans 12.3-8). And each team member is called to trust the Coach, submitting to his leadership and embracing whatever role or task is assigned for each moment.
There will be times you will be called on to take on a major function in the work of the Kingdom—leading a Bible study, leading in worship, preaching the Word, going on a mission trip. Sometimes you may be assigned a less prominent role—setting up the chairs before worship, cooking food or washing dishes, taking out the trash, babysitting. And there will be times when you are made to simply sit things out, providing important background support—prayer, finances, and the like.
The key is whether you are paying attention to the Coach’s instructions and accepting whatever assignment he gives, trusting that he knows what’s best to accomplish the goal of the Kingdom. And, of course, remembering always to maintain a sense of community and teamwork. For how believers love one another and work together is an essential part of the overall fulfillment of God’s purpose. Christ “makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4.16 NLT).
—Keith Y. Jainga