As I was sitting in 100 degree gym, which by the way, I am not a person that loves heat. I swell easy and need to be cool, but nevertheless, I sat there. I thought about what it was taking for those boys to run up and down the court. They were sweating, tired and trying to win a tournament. I thought to myself; I hope they give up so we can go home. What a horrible thought? But I still smile when I think about it. All in all, they did lose and had to be back in an hour to play another game.
You would have thought these 15-16 year old boys would have quit. That just wasn't the case. They came out fighting, like the team that had played the previous day. I don't know if it was the food, or just the anger from losing, but they all came out fighting to win and did.
They were undefeated up to their loss. Everything was going their way and then, they began to forget they were a team. Every one of them was doing their own thing and they weren't playing together and I watched this team fall apart. Because at the end of the day, to be a good basketball player, you have to be a team member. There is no "I" in team. In many ways, I correlate that to God's kingdom. He made us to be individuals, with different talents and different paths, but we are all on one team, His! He decided the day we would be born, the day we would come to Him, the day we would fulfill our purpose and the day we will see Him again. It's all in His hands. The only thing that is truly in our hands is to pray for one another and build His team.
Often in sales, you begin to think the "I" way. You are only as good as you were yesterday and it pushes you to win. Only in the last couple of years have I equated success with Christ. I will only be successful in my profession if God desires it. I still have to work hard but at the end of the day, it's for His glory not mine. So, today, I am going to pray with my son and his two friends before they go into that game. I am going to pray for his team. I want my son to always remember what team he plays for and for me and him too, it's Jesus's team.
I know there are very talented people that are hugely successful that don't have Christ. But in my world, the only team that will every truly bring fulfillment is Christ's. That's why I am so thankful that He is with me on every road, on every sales call and sitting in that gym with 20 sweaty boys. Wherever we are, if we have Him in us, He is with us. And even when we don't know Him, He still pursues us. We are His team and our job is to spread the word, to every country around the world.
If you are successful in anything today, thank Jesus Christ. It's not you; it's Him. At the end of the day, whether it's a basketball game or a major project for your job, it's all His. They are stepping stones into Heaven. So let's always try to remember that everything under the sun belongs to Him, including you. He deserves our praise in the morning and our prayers of thanksgiving at night. He is the maker of the universe and the tower of peace. He provides our manna and asks us only to be faithful. Look up today and thank Jesus for your life. He deserves our undivided attention. And without a doubt, let's form a union, a team for Jesus. If we would unite around the world, amazing things would begin to happen. People would find Jesus and at the end of the day, that's how we all win.
Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 NKJV:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or devise or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.
Isaiah 45: 6 NKJV:
That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other;
There are so many great and wonderful teams in the world. It's wonderful to be part of a team and make a difference in peoples lives. So, let's contribute to a team that will make a life changing difference in a woman's life. I love to give to world vision, juvenile diabetes and the many other great charities but my time needs to go to the sharing of the gospel. If one person is saved from a debilitating disease but doesn't know Jesus, have I really done anything? I'm sure that I have put food in someone's mouth or possibly helped to find a cure, but at the end of the day, my team goal is to bring women to the foot of the cross and sing, Glory, Glory to the King! Have a beautiful day my sisters. I love all of you.
My prayer today:
Lord, you are so amazing. Thank you for always providing a word picture for me. So often, we look to ourselves for success. We believe that if we work hard, fight to the end, we will win. That's just not the case. We must remember that every success comes from you, whether it's our boyfriends, husbands, children or careers; You are the source of success. We bow down to You today and thank You for reminding us all that there is no "I" in team and that we all have to look for You in every thing we do. You are the maker and developer of every living creature and we thank You for including us in Your team. I pray today that women would come to You, seeking answers and committing their lives to You. Help us be one with You for Your glory and be here with us today and provide opportunities to share Your love. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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