It’s been an amazing, competitive, and intriguing NFL season and now the playoffs are setting up that way too.

As sports fans, we talk among ourselves and follow NFL coverage throughout the season to get everyone’s perspective on different teams.

If we consider the majority of NFL conversations, we realize most everyone is talking about the Packers, Bucs, Chiefs, and Bills as the favorites heading into the playoffs.

Other discussions center around the Cowboys, of course, and the media always has a fascination with the Browns, even though they are eliminated from the playoffs.

The Bengals appear to be everyone’s favorite new team and the Patriots always find themselves in the mix.

However, the most overlooked, disregarded, and somewhat disrespected team in the league seems to be the Tennesee Titans.

Although they’re generally an afterthought, they shouldn’t be. We may not fully grasp how they’ve been winning games, especially when they’ve been without star running back, Derrick Henry, since week 8 when he fractured his foot. (He’s expected to return soon.)

But the reality is, they are 11-5 and now back-to-back AFC South Divisional champs. Despite an abundance of injuries, they continued to find ways to win this year.

According to ESPN.com, “The Titans rostered 88 different players on game day this season. That’s an NFL record.” Guys have been in and out of the lineup, yet they consistently win games with whoever is out on the field.

Along the way, the majority of us have doubted them and have been blinded to just how good they are. Since quarterback Ryan Tannehill became the starter in 2019, the Titans are 11-4 against the top teams in the AFC (the Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Patriots, and Colts). Even so, people remain in the dark when it comes to Tennesee.

How blind are we? Do we realize how incredible their season has been? Why do we refuse to give them credit and instead look the other way?

Do we understand what they’ve done? Are we aware that they’re actually the best team in the AFC and are about to secure the number 1 seed on Sunday (if they beat the Texans)?

As we unpack these questions about the Titans, I think there’s a parallel to how many of us view God. We don’t always see Him for who He truly is.

We’re blind to how incredible He is and unaware of all He’s done for us. We don’t realize His way is best and would rather remain in the dark.

Here’s what Paul writes in Ephesians 4:17-18 (TLB): “Let me say this, then, speaking for the Lord: Live no longer as the unsaved do, for they are blinded and confused. Their closed hearts are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds against him, and they cannot understand his ways.”

If we know who God is, have seen Him work in our lives, and understand His greatness, then we must continue to pray that He would open the eyes of unbelievers, and use us to help them step into the light.

Paul describes his own conversion and what Jesus told him when he met Him: “‘Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future.

“‘And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me’” (Acts 26:16-18; NLT).

Today, let’s help others stop overlooking, disregarding, and disrespecting God’s greatness and power, as well as, ask Him to open our eyes and hearts to see and receive everything He has for us.

Let’s also consider for ourselves and others Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians:

“And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength…” (Ephesians 1:18-19; AMP).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see You clearly. Please use me to help others see Your greatness and step into the light. Forgive me for overlooking Your goodness and being focused on other things besides You. Thank you for allowing me to see You and know You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. What has your experience been when it comes to seeing God for who He truly is?

2. In what ways are you helping others who are blinded, see God and understand the truth?