September 15, 2025 Devo

There’s a lot of debate about who is the greatest basketball player of all time. To me, it’s Michael Jordan. I know that other players scored more points. There have been players who have rebounded better, defended better, and handed out more assists. But there are a couple of things that I think set Jordan apart from the other “greats.” One was his competitive spirit. I never saw an athlete like him who had his will to win. He LIVED to compete.
But the other factor is the clincher. Michael made everyone around him better. He not only sharpened his own skills to be one of the best that ever lived, but he also raised everyone on his team to heights that they couldn’t have achieved on their own. He took a group of good players and made them a great team. He was the wind beneath their wings of success.
Who do YOU make better by being in their life? The psalmist says we are to make a “joyful symphony” before the Lord. Don’t miss this. Anyone can play a solo. Anyone with an instrument can pick it up and toot away all on their own. But a symphony is different. A symphony requires a group of people to listen to each other, stay in tune with each other, and assist each other.
Most teams, companies, churches, and families don’t operate that way. We want the most points. We want the biggest salaries. We want our role to be noticed, our spot to be reserved, our space, our stuff, and our fair share. When was the last time you set down your desire to make better music? When was the last time you gave up your rights, your demands, or having things your way, so that your company, your church, or your family would operate more effectively? What would it look like for you to seek to harmonize rather than looking for a chance to toot your own horn?
I believe God has gifted and called us to be the very best we can be. But I believe God is honored more by symphonies than solos. I believe that teams, where individuals put victories above personal stats, will have greater success. I believe companies, where employees take pride in a better product or service and aren’t in competition with each other, will be more productive and have more enjoyable work environments. I believe churches that lay down their lives for one another and don’t care who gets the credit as long as God gets the glory are more effective for The Kingdom of God. I believe that only families where members put each other ahead of their own needs and desires will know the power and joy of true, agape love. And I believe the most honored individuals in God’s eyes are not those who have the greatest talents. They are those who use their talents to create great symphonies. That’s God’s Word for you today.