Can You Imagine

CAN YOU IMAGINE any greater thrill than running onto the field at a Super Bowl as thousands of fans—and millions of people watching on television—cheer? You sprint through the tunnel and dash past cheerleaders. Colored smoke rises into the air. You raise your finger to the sky and hear your name announced over the loudspeakers. The feeling must be awesome.

But before Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, the New England Patriots decided not to take part in the traditional individual player introductions. After the St. Louis Rams announced each member of their offense with a lot of fanfare, the Patriots stepped on the field as one unit. The Pats ran onto the turf with starters, benchwarmers, Pro Bowlers, and scout-teamers all mixed together. Nobody was singled out. Nobody was given a higher status. With their actions, the Patriots’ message was clear: We made it here as a team, and we’re going to win or lose as a team.

And that’s exactly what they did. With a stingy defense and timely offense, the Patriots shocked the Rams 20–17 in one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets in history.

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POINT In sports, we should remember to treat our teammates with brotherly love. We should honor them above ourselves. By putting team first and playing as a unified force, the New England Patriots did the unthinkable and won the Super Bowl.

In a way, the church is God’s “team” on earth. A popular saying states that a team is only as strong as its weakest member. Can you think of anybody at church or a Christian friend who could use a little strengthening? Your efforts to help him or her could build up God’s team.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome urging them to treat one another with genuine love and to honor others over themselves. That way, as a team, the church can spread the gospel to win the world for Christ.

GOAL! Think of some practical ways to honor others: