Compare What?
“ The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.”
(NKJV I Corinthians 12:12)
For a portion of my life, God has dealt with me about a situation that seems to be common and encouraged in our culture. The spirit of competition reigns in the American society - in almost every realm, even the church. Our Presidents compete and run against each other; our federal and local officials run for office; and athletes are paid millions to compete in different sports. Knowing that we are in the world, but should not be of the world, why are we doing the same thing in the body of Christ? Sometimes, I wonder what we are competing for in the church? Could it be position, a name, a title, popularity, fame or just pride?
I have played basketball since I was in the eighth grade and I have always had the mentality that I was no greater than the team. I, alone, did not make the team; if I left, the team still would go on; and last but not least, there is no I in TEAM. I would always try to encourage my team, even when I was not on the court playing. When I tore my ACL in college, I became the biggest cheerleader for my team on the sideline. After I recovered from my injury and I was not playing, I would still cheer my team on. Why? Because I was a part of something bigger than myself – a team. Though I emphasized, promoted, and encouraged my younger team members to have sportsmanship and support the greater cause, I was side-tracked one day.
A new transfer came to my school in the middle of the year to join my college basketball team. My coach decided to recruit her and told everyone but me. Well, as soon as she stepped into practice, I knew why. We played the same position and she was coming into my territory to “take” my position. (So, I thought at the time) The basketball season was half over and as anticipated; my playing time was cut in half. In the beginning I never stopped to think; I had just recovered from an ACL injury, had surgery and was out of commission for a year. So, coming back to the team as a starting center, could be taxing on my physical body and my injured knee. Help was needed, but instead of looking at this new transfer as help, I saw it as a threat. One day, she asked me what kind of workout I did with my legs, which allowed me to jump so high. I arrogantly told her it was a natural ability and I couldn't help her in that area.
The unfortunate part about this experience was that I did not play basketball the next year. God dealt with me so severely about that situation, because I lost focus. It became about me and my position, not about the team. This new transfer came to steal my playing time, steal my spot light and take my position. In the middle of that, God showed me what he was doing. He would put me in positions to teach me some valuable lessons, which would last me a life time.
COMPETITION. In the sport of basketball, there is much room for competition. But, in the heart of God's servants, there is absolutely no room. I did not realize, that my last moments on that team, was to impart knowledge, experience and expertise in the players who would come after me. My last moments was not to compete with a teammate for a position, but to uplift her and prepare her to take my place. Because only God knew, I would not play the next year. I have learned that the greatest legacy you can have, is determined by what is carried on once you are no longer there. What does your legacy mean, if it dies once your gone. For example: Jesus Christ's mission did not stop when he was crucified and left the earth. He imparted what he had into his disciples, those closest to him, those who allowed God to process them for an impartation. He did this to continue the movement he began. The mission did not die with him. Jesus said, you shall do GREATER works. He was not stuck on what he personally did, but what the people did after he was no longer on the team. The mission had to go on, the story had to be told, greater works must manifest.
It was only after I stopped playing basketball that I realized what I was really called to do on the team. I was supposed to prepare the transfer to be a better player and most of all - better than me. I was to impart into her, what I knew, not conceal it, like she was cheating on my test. We were on the same team. She was not the enemy, my opponent or a spy. Imagine if Jesus would have had the spirit of competition. Peter wouldn't have walked on water (Matthew 14:29), because Jesus would have wanted to be the ONLY one to walk on water. Jesus wouldn't have sent the twelve out and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and heal the sick – (Matthew 10:1), because he wanted to be the only with power. Jesus wouldn't have had Peter, James and John on the mountain of transfiguration – (Matthew 17:1), because he would have wanted to have that experience alone. He was trying to prepare his inner circle for the mission to come. Jesus was not selfish; he did not compete with anyone. What if the forerunner for Jesus, John the Baptist, had the spirit of competition? Would Jesus' path have been straight? (Matthew 3:3) John, was like…listen here, I'm not the one to be honored. I can only baptize you with water, but the one coming after me is greater and He has the power. I'm not even worthy to carry His sandals. (Matthew 3:11 with emphasis ). John knew his place in the kingdom, maybe which is why he spent his time in the wilderness.
I truly believe, God puts people in some wilderness places, so that every ounce of pride, arrogance and self-reliance is put to death. That's the Joseph walk - he was in the pit, jailed, falsely accused and lied on for years. (Genesis 37 - 50) All because God had to prepare him for what was next in his life. It is not about me or you. The body of Christ is made up of many different parts and each part must do their part. Our mission is to learn what our part is and do it to the best of our ability. We should not seek to be parts that we were not equipped or built to do. The best person you could ever be is the person God ordained you to be. Saul tried to dress David up in his armour and gave him his sword to fight Goliath. (I Samuel 17: 38-40 with emphasis ). However, David was not like Saul, he was fine with his staff and stones. David took out Goliath with ONE stone and NO physical ARMOUR, but the army that was dressed and ready for battle couldn't defeat him. You can be more effective with what God has equipped you with, than what you strive to become. I Samuel 17:50 says, David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David knew who he was and his place.
When you know who you are, where God has called you to be and what he is requiring of you. There is no room for competition or comparisons. The arm does not compete with the foot for anything. There is just no comparison. They each have their individual function and the greatest thing that an arm or foot can be, is just that -- an arm and a foot. This is the same for our individual positions in our homes, jobs, churches, family, circle of friends, and in the body of Christ. We must find our God-ordained place and do what is required of us. There is no room for competition in the body of Christ. We are all supposed to be on the same team. We all must grow to the level of imparting, exhorting, encouraging and sharing our talents, abilities, gifts and callings. When you know who you are, there is no problem with giving compliments, helping others acheive what you have attained and giving guidance to the next in line. If we are all competing against each other, who is fighting the real enemy? The sad part is that, the enemy will sit back and let us destroy ourselves with our jealousy, envy, strife, competitiveness and malice. We are just making his job easy.
The saying is the same for any team: United we stand and divided we fall.
If you want to share your experience with competition or comments, please email me at tameka@wheretoworship.com
