Gospel-Centered TeammatesChikamu

Gospel-centered teammates do not have a hidden agenda

Today marks the halfway point in our devotional series on the life of Jonathan, one of the greatest teammates of all-time. As a refresher, Jonathan would have been a great king, but wasn’t given the opportunity. Rather than complain, Jonathan chose to make the best of the situation. And because of his unselfish attitude, he became one of the greatest teammates this world has ever known. He is a model of a gospel-centered teammate. 

Jonathan was all in on his friendship and loyalty to David. What we see in today’s verse is Jonathan giving up everything given to him and everything he worked for in order to help David advance. It’s evident that Jonathan wasn’t just trying to get on David’s good side so he could leverage that position later. His words and his actions reflected his heart’s desire.

What can we learn from this?

Gospel-centered teammates truly want what is best for others on the team. Their actions and words are not just a strategy to get back in the coach’s good graces, but are an overflow of a desire to see others succeed. Even if it comes at significant cost to themselves. 

How do you get to a place where this is the true desire of your heart? If you are like me, it probably starts with admitting you are not close to being there in the first place! It means confessing to God that your motives are not pure and there is an existing gap between where you want to be and where you currently are. It means inviting him in to the process of changing the desire of your heart. It means asking him to bring you to a spot where you want what is best for those around you more than yourself. That is a Gospel-centered mentality. 

Questions to consider:

1. In your attempt to be the best athletes—and teammate you can be, what impure motives do you sense rising to the surface?
2. What do those motives reveal about what you value most?
3. Have you considered confessing any of those selfish motives and resting in the grace that God offers you?