Aloha precious friends!
Long time -
I was just thinking about Eto'o and his move to the football club with a might difficult name...
The thirty year old has accomplished things in his career that many in his line of duty can only dream about. He makes the average Cameroonian proud, eventhough we still find it difficult to come to terms with his performance during the last World Cup which was taking place for the first time ever, in Africa. How could a group of star players be knocked out of the first phase of the competition with almost zero points? A new record (in the negative) was set for Cameroon and African soccer.
Eto'o trully, is blessed with an extra ordinary gift with the round ball, but as we have seen, even he is not spared from the age old responsibilty of team work! The truth is he is who he is and achieved all he has only because of his team mates. I am still to find a one man team!
In the game of life also, teamwork is essential. True success, which englobes the whole man (body, spirit and soul) with
his/her whole reality ( present circumstance, spiritual experience, health of the body and mind) and security (present and
future - temporal and eternal) is dependent on team work.
Google the word success and you'd be surprised (if not disappointed!) to see the direction the world wants to give to the word success ie success = money= achievements! That is worse than shallow as you probably already know. Success is not about your possessions, status or qualifications. Most of us however, act as if succeeding had everything to do with us and no one else. Your one man team ego will only land you in a place worse than loosing a few matches in a world cup.
In John 15, Jesus said, "..."I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.." Jesus alone boldly proclaims the need for man to abide/stay with him if they must succeed.
A good coach (shepherd) is one who understands his teams (strengths and weaknesses) and knows how to direct his team to success. Jesus happens to have a vantage position from which He sees all that's going on, knows what's the best game plan and understands our strengths and weaknesses better than anyone. Unlike our earthly coaches, who only give advise from a distance however, He not only has first hand experience (having walked in flesh), but He also promised to equip (..as many as received Him, He gave them power...John 1:12) and dwell in them! The best of this is, He alone promises hope even after life as we know it. We can belief Him because He died yet he rose. Many have spoken about themselves in a bid to draw men to themselves and their ideologies, but we know the location of their graves which also still holds their bones.Jesus alone presents us with an empty grave, a testimony to His authenticity.
In the game of life, the winning team is you plus Jesus.
Peace
Inno
