By Matt Osborne, Staff Writer Could we be witnessing the end of a dynasty in college football? That's the question many college football fans are asking after the Alabama Crimson Tide has disappointingly started the 2023 season. Of course, that disappointing start is all relative. After all, being ranked 13th in the national polls would hardly be considered a disappointment for the vast majority of FBS programs. For Alabama, however, this week marks the first time since the 2015 season that the team hasn't been ranked inside of the top ten. But beyond the rankings, the Crimson Tide simply hasn't looked impressive - particularly on the offensive side of the football. Alabama has already rotated through three different quarterbacks in search of a replacement for Bryce Young and has experienced moments of poor play from all three signal-callers. To compound matters, the offensive line has taken a significant turn in the wrong direction, with the Crimson Tide struggling both to open holes in the ground game and protect the quarterback in the passing attack. In response to the perceived poor start from his team, Alabama head coach Nick Saban recently commented, “The standard here doesn't change, but this is also a test of your humility…I mean, how many people have been able to go 16 years and not have a bump in the road?” As followers of Jesus, we can all relate to the idea that disappointments in life are a test of our humility. When we experience public “failings,” we can be prone to feel shame and embarrassment. We hate to think that other people might have a negative opinion of us, or that we might have tarnished our reputation. And as much as we may hate to admit it, sometimes those feelings can be a sign of the pride that exists within our hearts. Because we desire to receive approval from others (especially for our peers to have a high opinion of us), we feel the impact when disappointments present us in a negative light. As we respond to these disappointments and failures, it can become a "test of our humility." In Galatians 1:10 (NIV), Paul writes, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” If we're honest with ourselves, some of the emotions we experience in the aftermath of disappointment can be a result of wanting to seek the approval of man, which directly ties to the sin of pride. In these moments, we may lose sight of the fact that we're not called to live for the approval of others, but for the approval of God. Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) tells us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” We must intentionally remember our purpose in life isn't to make much of ourselves but to make much of our gracious God. The universe doesn't revolve around us. Rather, the universe is upheld by the Word of God’s power (Hebrews 1:3), and all of it serves to declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). Today, let's demonstrate humility as we “die to self” to “live for Christ.” While doing so, may our hearts express the same sentiment as the prophet Isaiah: “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts” (Isaiah 26:8; NIV). I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Father, please forgive me for the times I am pridefully more concerned about my reputation with others than I am in pleasing and glorifying You. Please help me to walk in humility, doing all things for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. In what ways have you seen pride revealed in your heart when you've experienced a public disappointment? 2. What are some practical steps you can take to grow in your humility as you follow Jesus?
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