Yesterday, was a tremendous start to the NCAA Tournament! Although Iowa’s loss killed my bracket, I was happy to see Richmond pull the upset and it was fun to see Saint Peter’s shock Kentucky, along with New Mexico State knocking out UCONN. We were also treated to multiple overtime games and other exciting finishes.

Today, I want to focus on a few of the matchups involving the top-seeded teams playing the lower-ranked underdogs. Despite Georgia State being a 16th ranked team facing the tournament’s favorite to win, Gonzaga, they were only down two points at halftime.

We also saw 13th-seeded Akron in a tight game against 4th-seeded UCLA, and we experienced 13th-seeded Vermont hang around with 4th-seeded Arkansas. As sports fans, we love seeing lower-ranked teams in close games and, thankfully, that’s what we had!

Every year when underdogs go up against teams from a bigger conference, they understand they may be outmatched, undersized, and weaker, but their goal is to keep the game close. They want to make sure they don’t put too much distance between them and the team expected to win…and realize if they keep the score tight, stay consistent, and remain in the game, victory is always within reach.

An underdog team comprehends they’ll only have a chance to survive if they’re close, and anything is possible when a game is tight until the end. When hanging around long enough, they’re convinced they belong, fill up with hope, and their vision of winning becomes clearer.

So what happens when the game is no longer close or a coach starts to sense a gap is growing? They call a timeout, encourage the team to slow down, get back to the basics, stay calm, make wise decisions, and remember the coach’s plan. Obviously, the longer the team stays distant the harder the game becomes.

Based on this, there are many parallels for us to unpack regarding our relationship with God. We are underdogs who are outmatched, undersized, and weak, and because of that, our goal is to remain close to our all-powerful and mighty God.

We know that if we expect to find victory, our only chance is staying tight with Him. Our only shot at surviving the struggles of this world is drawing close to God because we know that in Him anything is possible. When we hang around Him, He reminds us and convinces us that we belong to Him…fills us with hope…and provides a clear vision.

Psalm 145:18 (NLT) says, “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth.”

When we surrender to Jesus and place our faith in Him, He lives in us and tells us, “’If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him’” (John 14:23; ESV).

God is always there and doesn’t leave us, but sometimes He seems distant, and we sense there’s a gap between us. Although He hasn’t moved or changed, we desire to feel that closeness with Him and experience His presence again.

At the first indication of feeling a separation, we must call a timeout, slow down, get back to the basics, and stay calm because God’s not out of reach. Obviously, the longer we experience that distance, the harder life becomes, so we must make wise decisions and remember our “Coach’s” plan, and know He’s still right there.

The words of our Lord can help us get back to embracing the tight union we have available to us.

God says, “’Be still, and know that I am God…’” (Psalm 46:10; NIV).

Jesus tells us “’…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20; NLT).

Jesus also gives us the example of calling a “timeout” as it says in Luke 5:16 (NLT): “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

Today, let’s follow Jesus closely, confess any sin, and ask Him to remove anything that causes us to feel distant from our loving God. Let’s remember to “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you…” (James 4:8; (AMP).

Let’s also declare, “But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do” (Psalm 73:28; NLT).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know You are near, and thank you for allowing me to know You personally. I’m sorry for allowing distractions and sin to create a sense of distance between us. I pray I would draw close, be still, and recognize Your presence is all around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. What has your experience been when it comes to feeling close to God vs. feeling distant?

2. Even though He’s still right there, what steps do you take to remove that sense of separation?