I'm not a Star Wars fan. In fact, my wife thinks of me as quite crazy for not being into movies that stretch the imagination. Despite of my lack of imagination, I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed a blog post by Dr. Tim Elmore entitled The Star or the Story: What's Most Important?  In the post, he writes about a number of stars who wanted to be part Star Wars. Movie stars that were ok with taking a backseat in this blockbuster film to say that they were part of it. A number of these stars such as Daniel Craig and Thomas Brodie-Sangster ended up taking rolls as storm troopers. The storm troopers have helmets on and movie watchers don't know who they are. 

Dr. Elmore writes, "It's better to participate in a large and significant cause (story), regardless of who gets famous than to be the star of a smaller, less significant story. Somehow, I think many adolescents have received the message: You have to be the star, or it's not worth it. It's a sad commentary on our day. We must show our kids the big picture, that the cause is more important than any one character. A portrait's larger than a selfie - meaning it's much more fulfilling in the end to participate in a team effort, doing something momentous and noteworthy, than insist on being the central figure."

I see athletes not come out for a sport because they can't be guaranteed playing time. I see parents who view their child's playing time as more important than team success. I remember not playing and being pulled in high school and college athletics. However, as I have participated in collegiate athletics, coached a number of sports, worked in athletics, and sat in many graduate school classes, I have come to realize how true it is that a portrait is larger than a selfie. A team is bigger than an individual. Students will be better off in the long run if they can truly grasp the concept of what it means to be a member of a team. Serving is more important than being served. A note on my desk reads, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Whoever wants to be first must be your slave. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:26-28).