The Eastern Conference Finals are heading to a Game 7 with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line. The Washington Capitals were leading the series 2-0 before the Tampa Bay Lightning won three straight games.

With the Capitals facing elimination last night in Game 6, they came out and played physical, including 39 hits which helped bring them a 3-0 victory.

Capitals’ defenseman, Brooks Orpik, tied for a game-high six hits and made this comment following the game: “That’s one area where we have an edge is our size and physical play. Over the course of a seven-game series, it’s something we talk about.

“Take those opportunities. Don’t get out of position. Try to wear them down when we can. It’s desperation, really. If you don’t wintonight, you’re not moving on. So you try to empty the tank as much as you can.”

The Lightning’s Ryan Callahan noticed the Capitals’ desperation and said, “They played like their lives were on the line, and we played like we had another chance, and that’s unfortunate.”

Elimination games usually get the most out of teams as they “empty the tank” and “play like their lives are on the line.” They are willing to do anything it takes to win – even sacrificing their bodies with more physicality or digging even deeper for energy and intensity. The desperation and desire for victory motivate players to give everything they have out on the ice.

What about in our own lives? Do we live with a desperation mentality when serving God? Does it take an “elimination game” to empty the tank and give everything we have?

Often times, something drastic has to happen before we’re willing to surrender and empty ourselves in total desperation for God. We’re finally willing to let go and give our all when we want Him to come through for us…or rescue us…or provide an answer to our prayer.

The Capitals showed they’re capable of sacrificing their bodies and playing like their lives were on the line, but why didn’t they do that during the previous three games?

Likewise, we don’t have to wait until we’re actually desperate to live like we’re desperate. Jesus has already shown us His amazing love and grace, so our response each day should be one of surrender, emptying ourselves, and living like it might be our last.

Paul challenges us in Romans 12:1 (NLT), “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.”

Today, let’s allow our desperation to worship and please God, lead us to sacrifice everything we have…knowing that victory is the result.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know there are times I don’t give my life as a living sacrifice to You, but I pray my heart would be desperate to know You and serve You. I pray it doesn’t take circumstantial desperation to get to that point, but rather I would focus on what You’ve already done for me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.