Click to see the Haka
My son David has been bitten by the rugby bug. He played a little in high school, but has not had the opportunity to play further. However, in that short period of time he got bitten bad and now loves the game.
He’s an All Blacks fan – the New Zealand All Blacks. Arguably the greatest rugby team of all time. He inherited his love of the All Blacks from his Grampa, who is another rabid New Zealand fan. When the boys were little they learned the famous All Blacks Haka and would perform it for Grampa when he came to visit. There is a lot to love about the All Blacks, not the least of which is the Haka and their ability to consistently produce world class teams.
I know nothing about rugby. I played football when I was in high school and then coached high school football for a number of years. Football was my game of choice. It’s a tough, manly, hard-hitting, aggressive game with lots of action and excitement. David has been evangelizing me though. He wants to convert me. He has consistently and effectively been waxing eloquent about the merits of rugby and its superiority as the manly, hard-hitting, exciting game of choice.
He is winning me over.
We watched the 2013 championship game between New Zealand and South Africa the other night. Wow. End to end action. Little or no stoppage in play for 40 minutes each half. Tough, tough men battling it out together to move the ball down field with a tenacity that is nothing short of inspiring.
However, what really impressed me was how this game is all about team. It takes a team to play this game well. There is no room for “independents”. One man cannot win this game. Every inch of progress down the field is a team effort. The ball is continually passed from man to man. When a man goes down his team mates form a “ruck” over him to protect him from the opposition coming against him. Play starts with a “scrum” where 8 men battle as one to gain an advantage over the opposition. Line outs come into the team lifting each other up to catch the ball.
And, most importantly, the team doesn’t seem to be infected with the mindset of “independents”. When someone scores a try he runs to his team and celebrates with them. He knows the only way he was able to score was because the team worked together and he happened to be the last man with the ball.
Wow – this game screams team like no other.
Here is my point: rugby is a great picture of how we are created to live. It takes a team to do life. It takes a team to walk with Jesus. Life is a team game filled with hard hits, tenacious opposition and great rewards for those who give it all they have to play hard and work as a team.
In team there is camaraderie, there is encouragement, there is challenge, there is support and there is strength. When you are overwhelmed your team mates ruck over you to cover you. When you are tired your team mates help you find that little extra you need to keep going. When you are playing it safe and not engaging, your team mates will challenge you to up your game. When you play hard and give it all you’ve got your team mates celebrate who you are and what you contribute to the team and the outcome of the game.
Like rugby, life is not meant to be played alone – its very essence is that of a team game.
Why on earth would we ever want to play the game of life alone.
I encourage you to recognize your need for team. The team needs you and you need the team. Don’t do life alone. Seek out team mates who can help encourage, challenge, support and strengthen you. Following Jesus is a team game. When we choose not to live in openness and authenticity with other men following Jesus – team mates – we are not walking in team.
It takes a team to do life. It takes a team to walk with Jesus.
“Either we play as a team, or we will die as individuals.”
Romans 12:4, 5
I Corinthians 12:27
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
I Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”