As sports fans, we love to hype up players...jump on bandwagons...and raise expectations for teams we think are great.
One of the latest teams to pick up steam on the hype train is the Green Bay Packers. They started the season strong with wins against each team in their division and multiple wins in primetime. Aaron Rodgers has been playing at a high level, making incredible throws, and achieved a perfect passer rating against the Raiders a couple of weeks ago.
Then surprisingly yesterday, the Packers looked terrible as the offense only put up 50 total yards in the first half against the Chargers. Rodgers had his worst game of the season totaling 161 yards through the air and went 23-of-35 passing with a single touchdown.
Losing 26-11, the Packers were definitely humbled, and Rodgers confirmed it after the game when he said, "This is a good slice of humble pie for us. We're kind of rolling, 7-1, and starting to listen to the chatter maybe a little too much. I think this will be a good thing for us. We'll regroup, go back home and play another good team before the bye."
It’s funny how in sports a team can be rolling right along, feeling good, get caught up in the “press clippings,” buy their own hype, start thinking highly of themselves, and then BOOM, they fall on their face and have a shocking loss.
This is what pride and arrogance do to a team and what similarly happens in our own lives. We can be rolling right along, thinking we have it all together, believe we are better than everyone and nothing can stop us, have life figured out, and buy our own hype, then BOOM...we fall!
This happens when we lose focus on Jesus and shift our attention to our own "greatness." We also stop thinking about serving others because instead, we become more concerned with what they can do for us.
However, the following principle is true in sports and life: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12; ESV).
Proverbs (the book of wisdom) gives us these two verses that can also serve as a warning:
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18; ESV).
"When pride comes , then come dishonor and shame, but with the humble there is wisdom and soundness of mind” (Proverbs 11:2; AMP).
When we have the proper view of who God is and recognize how undeserving we are of His grace and mercy, we will be overcome with humility. As we sense pride and arrogance creeping in, we must immediately shift our focus back to Jesus before it causes us to fall and crumble.
Today, let’s choose humility and be encouraged by James 4:10 (AMP): "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you .”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for thinking so much of myself and thinking so much about myself. Help me remain focused on You with a humble spirit. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What prideful situations in your life have led to a fall?
What areas of your life do you need more humility?
Σχόλια