Week 3 in the NFL is now complete and there were some great games, including eight that were decided by a touchdown or less.

The Bills and Steelers hung onto the win while the Lions and Panthers each got their first win of the season.

Then there was the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals game.

We were all intrigued to see if this was the week the Eagles offense started clicking as QB, Carson Wentz, had the chance to exploit the weak Bengals secondary. We were also curious if rookie QB, Joe Burrow, would play as well as he did the previous week.

But after 70 minutes of action, the game ended in a 23-23 tie with neither team able to score in overtime!

Joe Burrow was able to throw for 312 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, but the running game struggled. Although Carson Wentz had a tough game overall with two interceptions, he did rush for 65 yards and a touchdown.

At the end of the day, what do we do with a tie?

Nobody won and nobody lost and everyone walked away feeling unsatisfied and just blah. Who likes to see ties in sports? Don’t we want to see someone experience victory when the game ends?

Those playing and those watching wanted more than a tie, but that’s what we had to settle for. The Eagles even decided to punt instead of attempt a long field goal or a deep pass with under 20 seconds left in overtime, basically accepting the tie!

When we take a look at our own lives, are we experiencing victory or is each day just ending in a “tie?” Are we truly following Jesus, fully satisfied in Him, and finding abundant life in Him…or are we stuck in neutral, glad we aren’t losing, but aware we aren’t winning either?

Too often we chase the comforts of the world or play it too safe by not wanting to step out in faith or “attempt a long field goal or a deep pass.” We just survive each day trying not to lose and settling for a “tie,” but the truth is, it leaves us feeling “blah” and deep down we are longing for more.

In order to experience victory, we must realize Jesus is the only way. He provides us with salvation and eternal life, and as we surrender to Him daily through the power of His Holy Spirit, we experience life to the fullest.

The Bible says in 1 John 5:4-5 (AMP), “For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. Who is the one who is victorious and overcomes the world? It is the one who believes and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.”

As children of God, let’s enjoy the victory we have through Jesus and remember we do not need to settle for a “tie” each day.

Colossians 2:6-10 (paraphrased in the Living Bible) assures us, “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.

“Don’t let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men’s thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power.”

God has made a way for us to win…let’s stop settling for the tie!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to live life to the fullest, recognizing that’s only possible as I trust You and live for You. Thank you for saving me and for giving me the abundant life found in Jesus. It’s in His name I pray, Amen.