The Best Team - Or The Team That Plays The Best?

On Saturday, October 6, the unranked Stanford Cardinals defeated the Southern California Trojans (ranked number one in one national poll and number two in another) in a very exciting game.

USC was favored to win by 41 points. The loss dropped them to 10th place in the rankings, and probably eliminated them from contention for a national championship. The pre-season polls had them at #1.

After the game, the USC quarterback, John David Booty, who threw several interceptions, made a somewhat profound statement. In so many words, he said, "The best team does not always win. Sometimes, it is just the team that plays the best that comes away with the victory."

There is no doubt about the "best" team losing on Saturday. But that is why you play the game.

I go back to Booty's statement about "the team that plays the best." In this mega-church world, some of you are out-manned, out-financed, out-marketed and looked upon with limited expectations; but remember it is not about any of the above. It is all about your passion, your attitude, your confidence, your call and your dependence upon the One who called and equipped you. You know you are a winner! I just think all of us need to "play the best game" we can play, hold our heads high and go for it on fourth down.

Look what God helped Gideon to do with just 300 men ("For the Lord and for Gideon" — Judges 7:20). He divided the men into three groups of 100 — offense, defense and special teams. They were victorious — and so shall you be. The key: "Each man held his position" (Judges 7:21).

Don't look over your shoulder, my colleague. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith — so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12:2,3).

Go for it! Have a great week!

Comments

[Domingo Lopez]

Pastor London,

Thank for your encouragement. I do believe your words are much needed in today's culture in which many pastors want to have the biggest church. Sometimes this compromises the vision to plant churches in reaching new communities because the pastor is so focused on growing his church to a MEGACHURCH. It's encouraging to remember to not lose sight on the calling the Lord has placed on our lives. Thank you and God bless.

[Brian Wechsler Director Village Missions]

You do have the gift of encouragement! Welcome to the world of blogging. Just getting started myself, but on a much smaller scale than Focus on the Family. But thanks for being a voice for the pastor who doesn't need a large crowd to minister faithfully. You might be interested in reading my blog article "What Makes a Good Country Pastor?" at http://www.village-missions.org/about/from-the-director/?p=47 :-)