What do you think of when you hear the word “team”?

Perhaps you think of your sport — banding together with your teammates for a common purpose. Maybe your mind gravitates toward the practice, time, and diligence you pour into achieving success — a series of repetitive motions and mindsets forming a strong, cohesive outcome.

Your thought process could lead you to picture the leader of your team — your coach or captain — and how he or she influences the attitude, character and talent of your squad and encourages you toward the ultimate goal, a championship.

Regardless of where your intuition lands you in your perception of the word “team,” I would be willing to bet that surrounding the word are nouns that buoy the term in a positive current: unity, loyalty, selflessness.

“Team” undoubtedly and most typically refers to sport, but how else does a “team” look and further influence your life? Whether it is in your sport specifically or in your family, work environment, church community or group of friends, your “team” is your stronghold.

Wherever we find ourselves in a team environment, it is an opportunity to call on God to be the cornerstone, as a strand of three is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

In 1 Corinthians 12:14 it tells us, “… the body does not consist of one member but of many,” meaning that, as Christians, we all function together as the body of Christ.

How are you banding together with the body of Christ to be uplifted? Are you motivating each other to know God and make Him known?

How are you “practicing,” or putting in time being diligent to learn from the Word? Repetition rears habits, and our habits are what we rely on to carry us through tough times.

We should look to God as our coach, leading and encouraging us to the ultimate goal of spending eternity with Him and glorifying Him during our time on earth so that those who know us know Him and will reach the same conclusion.

Questions to consider: Who is on your “team,” and how are they impacting your life? How do you demonstrate and foster unity, loyalty and selflessness amongst your “team”? In what ways are you being intentional to spend time with and glean knowledge from your “coach” (God)?