One of the leading topics in the United States this week has been about the dynamic duo in women’s beach volleyball. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings have been an unstoppable team for twelve years. They have won three gold medals in the past three Summer Olympics, and it is my personal opinion their wins have more to do with their teamwork than it does in the talent they possess. Anyone who watched the semifinals in beach volleyball this week understands why I say this. The Brazilians, who won the bronze medal, were actually ranked number one coming into the Olympic games. Treanor and Jennings were ranked third, yet they won the gold medal. The reason for this is because the Brazilians constantly argued during their games, while Treanor and Jennings seemed to anticipate each other’s moves. It is because of this teamwork, some people are calling Treanor and Jennings one of the best beach volleyball teams in the history of the game.
As I studied Philippians 1:27, I couldn’t help but think of this amazing team, because in this verse, Paul talks about teamwork. He begins by saying Christians should conduct themselves in a manner worthy of Christ. The original language used indicates that we should behave in such a way that makes others want to have a relationship with Christ. He then goes on to give specific examples of how believers in Christ should behave. Paul says we are ”to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The thing which fascinates me about this passage is that the Greek word for striving comes from the word athleo. For those who think this word looks familiar, it’s because this is where we get the word for athlete. ”Striving together” indicates working together as a team so that we can win the contest.
As I studied Philippians 1:27, I couldn’t help but think of this amazing team, because in this verse, Paul talks about teamwork. He begins by saying Christians should conduct themselves in a manner worthy of Christ. The original language used indicates that we should behave in such a way that makes others want to have a relationship with Christ. He then goes on to give specific examples of how believers in Christ should behave. Paul says we are ”to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The thing which fascinates me about this passage is that the Greek word for striving comes from the word athleo. For those who think this word looks familiar, it’s because this is where we get the word for athlete. ”Striving together” indicates working together as a team so that we can win the contest.
Studying this verse, all I could think about is the effect a chronic illness can have on an individual’s relationships, particularly with his or her family. Recent studies show that between 50-60% of all married couples will eventually divorce. The divorce rate is even higher if a spouse has a chronic illness. As a person who lives with a chronic illness, it would be easy for me to blame this statistic on the healthy spouse in the marriage, but to be perfectly honest, I think much of the blame falls on the person who is sick. Far too often, people who are sick allow themselves to wallow in self-pity, obsess over their illness, and become much too focused on all they are having to endure. No one wants to be around a negative person all the time. The sickness isn’t the problem; it’s the chronically ill person’s attitude. And this doesn’t pertain simply to marriages. Any relationship, be it with parents, siblings, children, or friends can be negatively affected by a chronic illness.
Unfortunately, more people act like the Brazilian volleyball team than they do the American team. Failed relationships are often a byproduct of a chronic illness, but this doesn’t have to be the case. We should never allow a disease to steal our relationships with our loved ones. A disease may steal our health, but it only takes away our family and friends when we allow it to. But we make the decision each day by choosing what our attitude will be and how we will respond to the suffering we will inevitably face throughout the course of the day.
So it’s time for an attitude check. Examine your relationships. Are you striving together or striving against one another? I don’t know about you, but I won’t be satisfied with anything other than a gold medal in my relationships. How about you?
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me. I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
(c) August 9, 2012
Unfortunately, more people act like the Brazilian volleyball team than they do the American team. Failed relationships are often a byproduct of a chronic illness, but this doesn’t have to be the case. We should never allow a disease to steal our relationships with our loved ones. A disease may steal our health, but it only takes away our family and friends when we allow it to. But we make the decision each day by choosing what our attitude will be and how we will respond to the suffering we will inevitably face throughout the course of the day.
So it’s time for an attitude check. Examine your relationships. Are you striving together or striving against one another? I don’t know about you, but I won’t be satisfied with anything other than a gold medal in my relationships. How about you?
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me. I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
(c) August 9, 2012
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