Published 10/31/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
It’s lunch recess again, so it’s time for everyone to line up to be selected for the softball game. The routine is always the same: everyone lines up while the two captains pick their teams. Since you’re a pretty good athlete, you’re always one of the first few to get picked. No one ever seems to complain, but you’ve wondered how Cheri feels. She’s always picked last.
One day, the kids who usually pick teams aren’t around so you’re told to go out and pick. You’ve never had this chance before. Suddenly, you know how it feels to be a captain. You want to have good players so you can beat the other team.
Your first two picks are your best friends, while the other captain picks two good players. You can see where this is leading. Cheri is going to be picked last again unless you break with tradition. You could surprise everyone by picking her third, but then you’d be stuck with someone who can’t throw the ball and can barely catch.
Questions to Think On
• What would you do?
• How do you think it would make Cheri feel if she wasn’t picked last for once? How would you feel if it were you who was always picked last?
• How important is it for you to win? Does anyone really care who wins and loses?
• Though you probably know what Jesus would do, why is it so hard to do that?
What Does God Have to Say?
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(c)