like_ben

Like Ben, by Gini Kittle

While cheering for my 16-year-old son Ben at his last home basketball game, I noticed something interesting. Even though he doesn’t score much, his team plays much better and scores more when he’s in the game. In addition to this, their defense is better and they get more rebounds.

I think the team plays so much better when Ben’s in the game because of two things. First, he really excels at encouraging others … and encouragement helps bring out the best in everyone. But Ben doesn’t stop at words. He’s willing to do the work … and he doesn’t have to be the star. Ben is the kind of player who is willing to box out, set picks, and pass the ball to the open man. He makes the whole team better and able to accomplish more.

How about you and I? Do we make our churches better and able to accomplish more for God’s kingdom? It’s been said that the Church advances most not by the efforts of a few “superstars” but when the every day saints of God are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work that’s before them. Let us follow Ben’s example and encourage those around us to be all that they can be for God; both with our words and by doing what we can to help them excel.