Yesterday was one of the best Championship Sundays in NFL history! As fans, we got to experience two overtime games, future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, edge of seat surprises, and a slew of controversial calls.

The games intensely held our attention throughout and led to the Patriots and Rams returning to the Super Bowl. It was amazing to see Tom Brady do what he does (once again!), and wild to watch the Rams pull out the win after the Saints appeared to outplay them most of the day.

Among all of the interesting storylines from both games, the refs had their hands full with questionable and reviewable calls. Every play matters when games are tight, and there is no question a few decisions could have gone either way.

Everyone who saw the Rams and Saints game knows the refs absolutely blew a crucial call – no matter what team you were rooting for.

The game was tied with 1:48 left in regulation and the Saints were driving to score. Then on third down from the Rams’ 13-yard line, Rams cornerback, Nickell Robey-Coleman, hit Saints receiver, Tommylee Lewis, while the ball was still in the air and Lewis was unable to catch it.

Assumed to be an obvious pass interference by everyone watching, the refs didn’t blow the whistle. The Saints were forced to settle for a field goal, the Rams then tied it up and ended up winning in overtime.

The Saints players, fans, and coaches will be talking about this for a very long time, as they can’t believe the refs didn’t call a penalty on that play. The biggest penalty of the day was the one that wasn’t called!

We know that refs make mistakes and blow calls, but it’s hard to accept when such a clear one to make is omitted. But while many of us were mad at the refs during the game, what if we were more concerned about our own “missed calls” and “omissions” in life?

Just like there’s a difference between the wrong calls refs make and the ones they choose not to call which are also wrong, there is a similarity when we decide to sin.

Sometimes we know it’s blatant disobedience when we actively do something wrong, but there is also the sin of omission which means we pass on doing something that is right. We know what we’re supposed to do, but we decide not to do anything at all.

1 John 3:17-18 (ESV) asks this question: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Yesterday’s games were filled with mistakes by the refs. But although they made some bad choices and mistakenly threw a flag for the wrong things, the play that will be remembered most is the one where we all knew what was right and it wasn’t called.

Today, let’s allow this to be a reminder of our need for grace and forgiveness for the times we don’t take action on what is right. Let’s choose to be obedient and realize it’s not just about what we do…it also matters what we don’t do.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for looking the other way when You are clearly wanting me to do something. I confess my sins of omission as I rest in Your grace. Help me love You and others well, and desire to take actions of obedience. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.