"The Missing I"

 

“The Missing ‘I’”

 

The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY was highlighted by the men’s ice hockey team’s winning the gold medal over the heavily favored squad from the (then) USSR. No one who saw the semi-final game against the Russians can forget Sportscaster Al Michael’s shouting as the clock would down and the American victory was assured: “Do you believe in miracles? YES!!” Sports Illustrated named it the top sports moment of the 20^th century. The story behind this great accomplishment is told in the 1981 movie “Miracle on Ice”. (Another film version appeared in 2004 simply entitled “Miracle”.)

Coach Herb Brooks took an unorganized group of college amateurs and in a matter of months molded them into a unit which defied the odds and brought gold to our nation. But it wasn’t easy as the players jostled for recognition. After a lackluster performance in an exhibition game leading up to the Olympics Brooks held a brutal practice session during which he said, “The name on the front of your jersey is much more important than the name on the back.” This was a key turning point in the team’s progress towards the ultimate objective as they saw themselves as a unit, not individuals, and learned the truth of President Truman’s words: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

Solomon wrote, “A good name is more desirable than great riches….” (Proverbs 22:1), so there’s a place for healthy pride in our reputation as godly people. That’s the name we wear on our back. But our Lord’s brother makes reference to “…the noble name of him to whom you belong.” (James 2:7). (The Greek word translated “noble” also means “beautiful, excellent”.) This “noble” name is “Christian”, or follower of Christ. That’s the name we’re to wear on our front for the world to see.

Long time UCLA basketball coach John Wooden repeatedly told his players, “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’”. The same can be said of “church”. Paul describes this in these words: “…In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5, emphasis added). So the missing “I” is to be replaced by “we”. Jesus asked His Father that “…all of them (i.e. those who believe in Him) may be one….” (John 17:21). Will we strive to be the answer to His prayer?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan