Meism says “Me first.” It stands in opposition to weism that says “Team first.”

The threat of meism prompted Jesus to remove it from his team. When the mother of Zebedee’s sons, James and John, asked Jesus if he would grant her sons positions of authority in his kingdom, Jesus said greatness in his kingdom involved serving not being served (John 20:20-28). James and John erroneously thought their teammates should carry them on their shoulders. .

Jesus Prayed for Unity

On the night before his crucifixion Jesus prayed for future disciples–that means you and me. He might have prayed for spiritual strength or a powerful presentation. Instead, Jesus said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one” (John 17:20-21). He prayed for team unity.

A moment later he clarified his previous request when he said: “That they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23). Jesus prayed we would experience spiritual weism with God and each other.

While I don’t understand the three-in-one nature of the Godhead, I understand the Godhead exists as a perfect team. Each member knows his role and together they exist as one. While such perfect unity eludes our experience, we should diligently seek it.

Weism Produces Unity

Whenever a team pulls together we say, “They’ve got spirit.” God wants to give that sense of unity to every team. Such unity flows from the nature of God and demonstrates the essence of a perfect team. The Father, Son, and Spirit work together in harmony. Could our desire to experience “teamwork” prove we bear God’s image? And could only God enable us to relate to him, and each other, as the members of the Godhead relate to each other?

Weism doesn’t happen naturally. Like James and John we strive to advance ourselves, not others. That’s why we must daily practice servant leadership and ask God to help our team lay aside personal agendas for the sake of the team.