The best rivalry in college basketball tips off again this Saturday evening, as the Duke Blue Devils make the short trek to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in a battle of top-ten teams. Duke head coach, Jon Scheyer was able to sweep his Tobacco Road rivals last season in his first campaign as the Blue Devils’ head coach, but he knows he'll be facing a much tougher challenge in this year’s UNC squad. The Tar Heels enter the contest ranked No. 3 in the country and are currently in sole possession of first place in the ACC. When speaking of the challenge his team faces against the Tar Heels, Scheyer commented, “I think the thing you see with them this year; they have great togetherness. They really have great role definition for how they play.” For as talented as UNC’s team was a year ago (ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll), the Tar Heels just never seemed to be able to put all of the pieces together to work as a successful cohesive unit. This year, however, is much different. As Scheyer correctly pointed out, UNC’s players are unified in their focus and effort, creating a “togetherness” that allows everyone to succeed. In like manner, followers of Jesus experience greater “success” when they possess true “togetherness” with other believers. God has graciously given us a body of believers who are available to come alongside us to serve, encourage, exhort, correct, comfort, and build us up as we follow Jesus together. In Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV), the Apostle Paul writes, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” The phrase “when each part is working properly” serves as an important reminder that when we're not doing our part in the body of Christ as individuals, it ends up limiting the growth of our fellow brothers and sisters, as well. For instance, if I fail to study the Bible and fill my mind with God’s truth, I won't be properly equipped to help support a fellow believer who is looking for comfort or counsel. If I neglect to utilize the spiritual gift that God has given to me, my lack of faithful stewardship will likewise harm the numerous people who would have benefitted from my service. 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NASB) discusses spiritual gifts within the body of Christ (His people) by saying, “And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.” Today, let’s recognize that our actions and decisions impact more than just ourselves. There is a real “togetherness” in our walk of faith that, when every part fulfills its specific role and responsibility, brings about tremendous growth for us all. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of being a member of the body of Christ. Please help me to faithfully steward the gifts and abilities You have given me, and to recognize just how much my actions impact others. May I always be a blessing to the body of Christ as I faithfully follow You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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