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Culture is critical
The more experience I gain the more I realize culture is critical. By culture I mean that trendy topic among thought leaders that refers to the state of your work environment. Tim Ferriss sums it up well when he says "Culture: what happens when people are left to their own devices."

One of my official titles at Lincoln Christian School is strength and conditioning coordinator. As part of my responsibilities for that job I teach two sections of Athletic Performance each day. Recently I gave both sections a complete program for the next 15 weeks. The program is complete with exercises for each workout, sets and reps for every workout, tips for making each workout a success, and a flow chart that informs the athletes what workout they should be doing based on their schedule for the week.

Why do I mention the workout plan? Because these students know exactly what they are supposed to be doing every day when they show up for class. They know the what, the how, and the why behind basically everything the will be doing for the next 15 weeks. Obviously, there is always more for me to teach them, but at this point in the school year the athletes don't need me nearly as much as they did in August and September. The point I'm making here is that the expectations have been set. The details have been taught.
Two fuels, one fire
The Christian's desire to (1) glorify God and (2) his understanding that he is to do all things for the Lord are the fuels that fan his flame. The fire for the Lord that burns white hot in the Christian's soul causes him to be his best at all times and in every circumstance. He is determined to not only finish the task at hand, but to do it to the best of his abilities.
We are culture creators
As I've pondered this thought I've realized that Christians ought to be especially good at being a part of a great culture where the mice get work done while the cat is away. Why? Because the Christian views his or her entire life a living act of worship. Every moment is an opportunity to glorify the God who created all things and sent His Son to save us. In Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, but we also have a purpose and ambition that surpasses human authority.

Christians are culture creators because their ambition is to glorify God and they live their life with God as their audience of one. The Christian's desire to glorify God and the reality that he is working for the Lord and not for men should cause him to do everything he does with as much excellence as possible.

Motivated by love
Not only does the Christian competitor have the highest ambition and audience imaginable he also has the strongest motivator: the love of Christ. Our Savior lived a perfect life so that He would be able to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. In offering Himself, He paid the price that we are unable to pay and accomplished what we cannot: restored our relationship with God. Why? Because Christ loves us. It was love that motivated our Savior and it is love that ought to motivate us.

Christian should be relentless in their creating of God glorifying culture because they are motivated by their love for God, Christ, teammates, coaches, families...the list goes on and on.
Take action
If this post has your attention here are three portions of Scripture you can spend some time praying through that are sure to increase your desire to be a culture creator to the glory of God on your team.

Matthew 25:14-30--This section of Scripture is commonly referred to as the Parable of the Talents. To be clear, talents are a form of money, not abilities. One key lesson from the parable is that the Master (God) wasn't concerned with how ...