As sports fans, most of us are committed to cheering for our favorite teams through the good times and bad times. Lions, Browns, and Jets fans keep showing up regardless of their team’s record. We don’t sign contracts with our favorite teams, but we remain loyal nonetheless. When it comes to players, coaches, and front offices, there are constant concerns and speculation about the commitment level of everyone involved. Is a specific player committed to a team? Is a certain coach committed to sticking around? Are owners committed to doing what it takes to win? Oftentimes, it has to be confirmed or declared by the person in question as we can see from some of the recent sports headlines:
“LeBron Clears Air, Says He’s Committed to Lakers”
“McVay: Committed to Rams, Won’t Pursue TV Jobs”
“Michigan's Jim Harbaugh Says Vikings Interview 'The Last Time' He'll Chase NFL Coaching Job”
“Agent: Kyler Murray 'Absolutely' Wants to be Arizona Cardinals' Long-Term QB, Sent Contract Proposal to Team” Then, here are some other recent sports topics and questions being asked:
Will Aaron Rodgers and the Packers commit to sticking together?
Will the 49ers commit to Trey Lance as their starting QB?
Is the transfer portal helping or hurting college football?
Will top pro golfers leave the PGA Tour for a new golf league? Of course, all of the uncertainty and movement that takes place in sports is interesting and keeps us guessing as fans, but it seems like the sports culture consists of the key figures always looking around with a constant threat of someone leaving. A player or coach likes to flirt with another team or even another profession to add leverage for a new contract. Players appear to continually wonder what other options are out there while teams are forever looking around to upgrade their roster. Ultimately, in sports, commitment is tested when they think something better has come along...or they’re all-in until the first sign that things are tough and then they bail...or they’re committed as long as it’s still beneficial for them. As much as we desire loyalty from sports figures, we understand contracts get reworked all the time and circumstances cause players and teams to go in different directions. In comparison, I wonder if our commitment level in life and even our faith have similarities to what we see in sports. Sometimes in life, God calls us to go in a different direction or calls us to leave one situation for another. However, are we flirting with, pursuing, or chasing what the world offers? Do we get dissatisfied with our current circumstances and wonder what else is out there? Are we only committed as long as it’s good for us, rather than sacrificing to remain faithful? Are we committed up until something we think is better comes along? At the first sign of things getting tough, do we persevere or bail? Most importantly, have we decided and declared to live our lives as committed followers of Jesus, committing everything we are and everything we do to Him and His ways? Psalm 37:5 (NLT) tells us to "Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you." Proverbs 16:3 (AMP) implores us to "Commit your works to the Lord , And your plans will succeed ." Today, will we remain committed to Jesus regardless of the cost, sacrifice, or enticing options the world tempts us with? Will we stop chasing what we think is best, and trust His plans instead? Let's be encouraged that we don't have to be perfect, but we can be committed to working through challenges and struggles while persevering on the journey with Jesus. Let's make Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:61 (NIV) our ongoing prayer: "And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by His decrees and obey His commands..." I'm Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I lack a commitment to You and others. I desire to commit everything I do to You as I trust You fully. I pray I wouldn't bail when things get tough, but instead cling to You tightly. Thank you for Your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What areas of your life do you need to commit to God?
Is anything causing you to question whether or not you want to commit to God's ways?
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