I volunteered in Noah’s 3rd grade class the other day. As it came to a close, only ten minutes remained in the school day. It wasn’t enough time to begin a big project so the teacher gathered the kids in a circle in front of her and pulled out a stack of cards that had random questions on them. She read this question to the kids…
Would you rather be the best player on the worst team or the worst player on the best team?
The kids took turns going around the circle, answering the question and randomly she’d ask a kid to give a brief reason why.
“I wanna be the best player on the worst team because I want to have the most home runs!”
“I’d be the best player on the worst team because I like being the best.”
As we continued going around the circle almost every kid said they wanted to be the best player on the worst team. My ears perked up when she came to Noah.
“I’d want to be the worst player on the best team.”
I wasn’t expecting that. He’s always in a dream world hitting the game winning home run or being the hero who destroys the enemy.
On our way home I asked him about his answer. “I want to be on a team that wins.”
Maybe I’m over-analyzing the thought process of a 9-year-old but his answer got me thinking. So often as individuals we strive to be #1 - top salesman, N.Y. Times bestseller, funkiest on the dance squad (uhhh...maybe that's just me in high school). Being number one is fun and give us a goal to work towards. But would we accomplish more if we focused more on become the top team instead of being the best on the team.
Jesus immediately formed team at the start of his ministry. His focus was not showing off his healing skills – rather to form a team of losers into a winning. It took a little time for the disciples to catch on. There were when they were more concerned about being the best – the favorite disciple, the one to sit at Jesus’ right hand, or the first to speak up, etc.
However, post-resurrection – the disciples understood. They realized it’s better to be the worst on the team (how can you beat Jesus?!) and to learn from the best. It catapults you to becoming your greatest. When you act and think as a team you have more strength in body, mind and heart. You’re victories are larger and in your failures you have others to pick you back up.
Jesus prayed that we would be one – an unified member of the winning team. When a team works together and allows it’s members to shine in their gifting – it’s amazing what can be accomplished.
How would you answer the question?
Why?
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