Flame(s) On!

image from here

It is a new NHL season, and the Calgary Flames—those lowly Flames who dismantled their team over the last few years—are one of four undefeated teams remaining. Yes, it is just 4-0-0 (only 5% of the season). Yes, a lot of hockey remains. But what a (surpising!) start; they've shot up to 14 in the power rankings (they started the season at 27). Confidence is high in Calgary right now. Their current lineup (from dailyfaceoff): 

The Flames' unexpected success is a good reminder of why we play the game. In any league (or any endeavor). There are always the favorites, the superpowers, the big spenders, and so on. But our impressions are often based on the strength of individuals and neglect an important truth: you win as a team. It is the body that is ultimately successful or not. And synergy can matter a good deal more than individual strengths. The Bible reminds us of this in many places, but let's look at Ephesians 4 (highlights and underline mine):

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The key points here: there is one body, we each have gifts to equip and build that body, and when each of us is working properly (i.e. using our gifts), we grow. This refers to the church—the body of Christ—but it applies to any group who have to work together to produce a successful outcome. Like sports teams.

We need to keep this in mind as we consider any endeavor where we are forming a team. It isn't just "what is _____ gifted in," but "how does _____'s gifts mesh with the overall team?" Sometimes, we may draw surprising conclusions, or make unexpected decisions, when we look at things through that lens. It isn't just what we can do . . . it is how we fit in.

Go Flames go!