Basketball coach Pat Riley in his book The Winner Within tells about the 1980 World Champions Los Angeles Lakers. They won the NBA Championship that year, and they were recognized as the best basketball team in the world.

They began their 1980-1981 season considered likely to win back-to-back championships, but within weeks of the season opener, Magic Johnson tore a cartilage in his knee, and needed a three-month recuperation period. The team and the fans rallied, and the remaining players played their hearts out. They were determined to make it through that period without losing their rankings. They were winning seventy percent of their games when the time began to draw near for Magic Johnson to return to action.

As his return grew closer, the publicity surrounding him increased. During time-outs at the games, the public address announcer would always say, “And don’t forget to mark your calendars for February 27th. Magic Johnson returns to the lineup of your World Champion Los Angeles Lakers!” During that announcement, the other players would look up and say, “We’re winning now. What’s so great about February 27th?”

As the day approached, fewer and fewer things were written or said about the players who were putting out so much effort. All the media attention was focused on the one player who hadn’t been doing a thing. Finally, the 27th came, and as they clicked through the turnstiles every one of the 17,500 ticket holders was handed a button that said, “The magic is back!” At the mention of the name Magic Johnson, the arena rocked with a standing ovation. Flashbulbs went off like popcorn.

Meanwhile the other players who had carried the team for three months and who were totally ignored, were seething with jealousy, resentment, and anger. They were so resentful that they barely won the game that night against a bottom-of-the-bucket team, and eventually the morale of the entire team collapsed. The players turned on each other. The coach was fired. And they eventually lost their opening game of the play-offs, having the most disastrous record ever.

Riley said, “Because of greed, pettiness, and resentment, we executed one of the fastest falls from grace in NBA history.²

The sin of pride is not just found in sports teams and secular organizations, but it is often found in the Church! Pride has divided congregations and hindered the growth of God’s people. How amazing would it be if the church acted as the body of Christ? Everyone doing their part and working together for God’s Kingdom. Imagine how many people would come to know Christ because of the unity they saw in the church being one. In God’s eyes, we are all equal. He has given us all different gifts, but they are all important in the work of the church.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, forgive me for allowing pride to enter my thoughts and influence my actions. Please remove anything in me that is hindering your work. Make me usable. I want to bring YOU glory in all I say and do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1.    Proverbs 16:18 (NIV).

2.    www.sermoncentral.com

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.