The United Front

The Intro

I remember back in high school of my times when I was a basketball player. I been around and played for many teams, each team was different and so was my role in them.. at times I was the defensive anchor where my role was to make sure every defensive scheme we had planned was a success, I been the playmaker where I made sure I placed my teammates in the best position to score, the 3 pt shooter where all I did was get open and shoot 3s and at times even the on court coach, which as the name explains I was simply just the extension of the coach and the captain of the team.

I been in really bad teams but I’ve also been in really really good teams. As I began to sit and wonder what this message would be and allowed the Lord to minister to me, I was reminded of one of the best teams I played for but also the most challenging. You see the back story of this team was that my coach at the time, (Pastor Johnson) had a goal, which was to win the state championship and prove to his conference that he had a respectable basketball program. Therefore, he recruited most of the team throughout that summer, adding me and 6 others to the roster. Our team was stacked, he ended up recruiting players that in their own respective teams were one of the top players. For lack of better words, we were basically a high school equivalent of a dream team. Our coach was given the best problems any coach could have, he simply had too much talent in one team. However, there was a slight issue, we were all seniors except like 3 of us, all of us with dreams and aspirations of playing in college, there was simply not enough minutes for all of us to properly shine.

The result of it brought tension amongst all of us, we didn’t submit to a role, though these were people i ate breakfast, lunch and at times even dinner with we weren’t friends, though i spent all of my time with them, traveling across the country, sleeping side by side in a dorm, we weren’t family, and were never quite a unit.

Due to such occurrence, it was hard for us to be a proper team. Every practice— instead of us working on our game plans, we would instead be too focused on competing with one another for the starting spot because to us, whoever was starting didn’t deserve that spot, therefore it was always “I am better than this guy, look at the mistakes he’s making, see coach I told you he wasn’t ready.” During the games, any success any guy would have, instead of cheers you would see disgruntled faces, knowing that because of such good play, they might be on the bench for a little longer than they desired, and potentially they might not even play at all.

But, we were just so good, that despite all the turmoil, we kept winning a lot of games… unhappy, but winning nonetheless. Our season was stacked, coach loved basketball so we had an “NBA” schedule, over 65 games were played that year, which is a bit unheard of for a high school basketball team. stacked onto that, he even had us play flag football just we can all get in shape, build “chemistry” and be more prepared for what the ultimate goal was. But again, none of us accepted a role. We wanted to be a star.. our hardest games were the ones in practice, we would push each other to the point where would not be able to keep going, a lot of us got injured. And each time that would happen instead of helping each other and lifting each other up. instead we would thrive on those moments to try and get ahead. In the end, it cost us everything, we lost state finals and due to our lack of being a team, none of us played college ball. We had so much potential, yet we failed.

I share this story, because in a way… you guys remind me of that group. I look around and I see what you could become, I see teachers, pastors, people who would have their own church, ministers, leaders etc.. and though many of us has either left, stumbled or strayed away. Those of who remain and who are yet to come, have a responsibility. To lead, to disciple, to love and build up one another, rather than tear one another down, do build a family, hold unity. To be one body and one mind.

and with that i end it with the words of Paul, and not my own.

Legacy Standard Bible CHAPTER 12

1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.

3 For through the grace given to me I say to each one among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another,

6 but having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: whether prophecy, in agreement with the faith;

7 or aservice, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with bgenerosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good,

10 being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor,

11 not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,

12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer,

13 contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep,

16 by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind.

17 Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, brespecting what is good in the sight of all men,

18 if possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men,

19 never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.

20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.