Chris was my friend, teammate and encourager the year I was MVP of my T-Ball league back in 1982. Although I lost contact with Chris, I still look back at our friendship fondly. I remember Chris as humble, happy, always friendly and a very good T-ball player as well. He was a great teammate and I know I would not have been MVP that season if I did not have him by my side.

Who is by your side? Who is the Chris in your life? Do you have a friend who is humble, happy, always friendly, an encourager and on the same team as you?

Life is meant to be lived in community. From the beginning, God modeled the idea of community through the Trinity of God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus.

Jesus also modeled friendship and community.  He had three close friends—Peter, James, and John. “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves” (Matthew 17:1).

Among those three, Jesus also had a best friend, John. “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” (John 19:26).

They supported Jesus, though not perfectly, to help Him accomplish his mission for His life.

They were on the same team, not always humble, happy nor friendly, but they were with Him and for Him and always willing to support Him. If Jesus needed community in life, don’t we all?

Whom do you have in your life as a friend, teammate and encourager, and how have they supported you to live the life you were created to live in Christ?