All for one; one for all

1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV) - “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
     Now that football season is officially over and the champions have been triumphantly cheered, many sports fans will turn their attentions to the next challenge of athletic prowess - basketball. This happens to be my sport of choice. In my youth I enjoyed playing on our school’s intramural team, now I get total satisfaction off the court as a spectator. Regardless of whether you are an armchair coach or a weekend player one thing is noted basketball, like life, is fast-paced and cannot be successful without teamwork. While there may be a few star players whose skills set them apart from the rest, no one person can win a game. The greatest players need assists and strong rebounders to help them set-up and make their shots.
     As Christians we find this same team work is needed to help us navigate through life’s playing field. God has set up the tournament; our Savior Jesus has already shown us the best plays and they are written down in a special play book (The Holy Bible) so that we can have easy access to them. The Holy Spirit is our daily coach and other believers are our team mates. We must rely upon each other to avoid injuries; to outwit the underhanded dirty plays of the enemy team and come out on top. Our success may depend upon us being in the foreground making the all-important lay-ups or it might mean that for certain plays we do not get our hands on the ball but put them up to guard against the wiles of the oppressing forces. Don’t worry if you feel sidetracked or delayed. Sometimes we have to fake one direction to actually go in another or we have to stop dead in our tracks and pass the play on to another who is free to keep the action going.
     Whatever station you are in life right now, whether running full press for a sure shot or taking your chance from outside the 3-point line or maybe you have been fouled and standing at the free throw line trying to make up for lost ground. Know that you have a team running right beside you ready to help. And also don’t forget about those on the bench…getting rested up, prayed up and anointed to come back in and take us all on to victory. No man is an island. Don’t think you have to go it alone. If you are feeling isolated pray for God to raise up a team that can help you sharpen your skills and get the most out of this game called life.
     Every day is a good day it is up to us to make it a GREAT day. Be blessed! Rev. Dr. JoAnn