There are more important things in life than sports, and today I celebrate my 7th wedding anniversary and my one-year-old daughter’s birthday (yes, on the same day!).
As a sports fan, however, I still love watching sports, and the thought of college football being canceled this season is very concerning and disappointing.
I’ve been listening to the conversations and debates surrounding the decision on whether or not they should play, and it’s hard not to notice the number of competing motives and perspectives. Some people are emphasizing health concerns or money issues while others are focused on giving players an opportunity to play.
Top coaches and players want to play, while school presidents seem leary due to potential liability issues. Also, schools in different conferences in separate parts of the country are disagreeing on the feasibility of a season taking place.
The SEC appears to want to make it work while the Big Ten is expected to cancel their season, which is creating division among the Power 5 conferences.
Meanwhile, the NCAA (the governing body for college athletics) hasn’t provided the leadership or unity needed and is in jeopardy of conferences breaking away from them.
As fans, we are aware of health risks, but we love football and want to see our favorite teams take the field, while TV networks want the games to take place so they can make money.
So what’s the right thing to do? Should there be a college football season this fall? It seems everyone has a different opinion on this and it’s based on how it benefits them.
When we consider the multiple angles and layers factoring into what will happen and whose interests will ultimately win out, I find this to be a microcosm of what each one of us deals with every day.
Conflicting interests and opinions are always at play when dealing with our spouses, kids, co-workers, and neighbors. But if we're always looking out for our own interests, instead of the concerns of others, we'll experience more division and have a tougher time moving forward with decisions.
Personally speaking, after seven years of marriage, I’ve realized this ongoing battle between my selfish motives and putting my wife’s interests first. From the moment my daughter wakes up, I have to decide, will I do what’s best for me and sleep a little longer or do what’s best for my wife and let her sleep a little longer?
Those types of questions get debated throughout the rest of the day as we all choose between giving into selfish motives or choosing unity, servanthood, and sacrifice.
It doesn’t mean we have to be a pushover, however, because if we’re doing something begrudgingly or out of obligation instead of love, then we’re missing the point.
Of course, I want football this year and I’m not sure how everyone can agree on what’s best, but I do think less selfishness and more servant leadership from all sides (schools, conferences, players, and presidents) would result in a better outcome.
Likewise, we have to think beyond the “me mentality” and follow the example Jesus gave us. He is the ultimate sacrifice and a true servant who put our interests ahead of His own and stepped out of heaven and onto a cross.
When we understand that and keep it at the forefront of our hearts and minds, we’ll desire to value others and their interests...even ahead of our own.
Paul puts it this way in Philippians 2:1-8 (ESV): "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
College football (and many other things going on in the world) are reminding us what happens when division, self-interests, and selfish motives are leading the way. Today, let's look to Jesus as an inspiration to choose humility, sacrifice, and servanthood.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess how selfish I am and how so often I seek out what's best for me. I pray I'd learn to put the interests and needs of others ahead of my own. Thank You, Jesus, for being the ultimate sacrifice and example of a true servant. I desire to follow You. It's in Your name I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what areas of your life are you most selfish?
How would being less selfish create more unity and stronger relationships in your own life?
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