Embrace heart, hurt and humility.

No matter how talented a football team is; it will never achieve its goals and become champions unless they can become a single, servant minded, cohesive unit. Talent will only take a team as far as a single player. Talent will dessimate a team where individual players are pulling the team in different directions.

Between 2017 and 2022, I was proud to be a part of a brotherhood which finished their seasons in six straight state title games. Over that six year span, we had varying degrees of talent; however, we had remarkable young men who would go beyond themselves to serve the others on their team.

I watched for seven weeks as a player iced an ankle after every Friday night game, was unable to walk on Saturday, hobbled by Monday, walked by Wednesday and then played the following Friday. I witnessed a player have his finger so severely dislocated it made several players throw up seeing it reset and then have the most rushing yards in a second half ever recorded in our league. I can recall countless other instances where brothers overcame hurt to be with their brothers on the field of play.

I have seen players drive hundreds of miles at their own expense to make sure a brother could get to practice. I was amazed as they never once complained about the loss over our football field, practicing in fire ant infested fields, or working out in a tin shed with rusted weights. They did not care as long as their brothers were alongside them and encouraging each other.

It has broken my heart to watch players go down with injury (especially in their senior years). However, the resiliance of the brotherhood to step up and fill the gaps is truly a humbling experience. When a team gets to the point where they play the game for their brother and not for coaches, fans or titles, then they reach a speacial place where the heart, hurt and humility push the brotherhood beyond talent.

To be a brother or sister in Christ is to share a spiritual bond with fellow believers. It goes beyond the biological relationships of siblings and emphasizes a deep connection based on faith, shared beliefs, and a common commitment to following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

This verse encapsulates the essence of the brotherhood among Christians by emphasizing the values of love, devotion, and mutual respect. It encourages believers to prioritize the well-being and honor of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, demonstrating the unity and selflessness that characterize the relationships within the Christian community.

As Christians, we are called to serve our brothers and sisters. This might mean the loss of social status, financial gain, and in some parts of the world ones life to follow and profess belief in Jesus Christ. Christ tells us that there is no greater love than for one person to lie down his life for another. This is the ultimate self sacrifice but Christ calls us to do this daily.

We far to often celebrate the individual in sport. MVP awards, discussions of GOATs and stat leaders dominate most discussions. Our focus should instead be on the team statistics as they will tell you more about how easy or difficult your task will be in winning the game. Show me great team stats and I can almost guarantee a culture of individuals who have a servant's heart, are willing to endure the hurt that comes with the journey and who are willing to humble themselves to accomplish the team goals.

My prayer is that whatever team you find yourself on during your life that you committ yourself to doing your part to follow Christ's example of heart, hurt and humilty.