YEAAHHHHH! Tonight the NFL season kickoffs with Kansas City and Houston, and I’m fired up to watch football again this fall.
Of course, it’s going to be a fascinating and unique season with the coronavirus still being an issue, but there’s plenty of excitement to go around.
Every new season brings predictions and hopes for each team, while fans and analysts have specific expectations for players and teams. Here are a few:
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The Chiefs will make it back to the Super Bowl.
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Ben Roethlisberger will be healthy and lead the Steelers to the playoffs.
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Tom Brady will continue to do what he does and take the Bucs to the next level.
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The Dallas Cowboys will finally put it all together with new head coach, Mike McCarthy.
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The Cleveland Browns will finally live up to the hype.
The reality is, all of these expectations won’t play out exactly how people want them to. However, despite the amount of uncertainty and eventual unmet expectations, as fans, there are some things we can confidently expect as we head into the season:
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We can expect several players who have been solid in recent years to become stars.
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We can expect countless bench players to shine when given the opportunity after the starters get injured.
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We can expect big hits, long runs, deep throws, spectacular catches, and last-second heroics.
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We can expect surprising upsets, lopsided defeats, and competitive games.
We know we can expect these things to happen throughout an NFL season (even if it’s going to be a different kind of year) because these are foundational and consistent every season.
When it comes to our faith and our journeys as followers of Jesus, there are certain things we expect to happen in our lives that don’t always turn out the way we think they will. We expect God to do something a certain way based on our limited knowledge, but He has other plans for us.
However, even though God may surprise us with how He moves and answers prayer, there are some key things and principles we can confidently expect as we head into every season of life. These are foundational, consistent, and found in Scripture:
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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28; NIV).
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“You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3; NLT).
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“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” (Psalm 32:8; NLT).
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“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7; ESV).
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“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9; ESV).
Whether in football or life, there are plenty of surprises, but at the same time there is so much we know to be true and can confidently expect.
Today, let’s cling to the assurances we have as followers of Jesus and enjoy the start of the NFL season! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray my hope and trust would remain anchored in You and Your promises. I know I can expect You to always be faithful. Thank You for giving me peace and forgiving my sin. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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Which of today’s verses do you struggle with the most in expecting God to come through?
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Which of today’s verses did you need to read because of the season you’re in right now?
