Earlier this week, I wrote about 1-1 teams and how different they look from one week to the next. The Minnesota Vikings epitomize that with their quarterback, Kirk Cousins, only throwing the ball ten times in a week one win and 55 times in a week two loss.
Kirk Cousins has a lot of pressure to perform well and win games ever since the Vikings signed him to a fully guaranteed contract for $84 million. Of course, he wants to make plays and be the reason the team is successful, but what if the Vikings are better when they don’t ask Kirk Cousins to do too much?
James Brady from SB Nation wrote a blog with the headline, “The Vikings are Better When Kirk Cousins Does Less” and a subtitle, “Cousins is Capable of Winning Games, but When the Vikings Ask a lot of Him, He Flounders.”
Brady explains that the Vikings should have followed the same formula from week one when they leaned on the running game and the defense. Cousins needs to make simple throws instead of overcomplicated plays that result in mistakes.
Oftentimes, Cousins will force throws that aren't there and they lead to interceptions...or he tries to go for a big play instead of making the right play. He can be successful, but he must understand his limitations.
I can relate to Kirk Cousins when falling into the trap of trying to do too much. I love to think that I can do more and push myself a little further, but all too often it ends up being costly. I don't like to "hand the ball off."
I’ll say “yes” to too many things and then I end up not doing as well as I should or become extremely exhausted. When I force something or overcomplicate my life, I flounder. The truth is, I’m more capable of "winning" when I do less instead of always trying to make the "big play on every down."
As followers of Jesus, we have to be reminded that we can rest in His grace and power and submit to the work He wants to do through us. We have to get out of the way, do less, and lean on Him. John the Baptist says in John 3:30 (NIV), "He must become greater; I must become less."
While we trust and obey God, we remain in His will and no longer have to get caught up in “trying to do too much.” We struggle when we put everything on our shoulders or try to do something in our own strength.
In understanding the depth of God’s love and mercy toward us, we don’t have to try and prove ourselves by what we do or how much we do. We recognize our limitations and weaknesses while surrendering and relying on the strength we have with Christ.
I find Psalm 46:10 (ESV) to be extremely comforting and freeing: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
“Be still” is so hard for us to embrace. We want to do more, accomplish great things, and never stop. However, when we pause and truly realize how amazing God is, we can rest in Him and His work through us instead of in our own constant effort to do it all ourselves.
Just watch what He'll do when we let go of the ball! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I easily get caught up in my own desires to do more and prove how much I can accomplish. I know that I end up floundering when I try to do too much. Please help me to be still and know that you are God. It’s your strength and mercy that I need. I desire to find my rest in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What areas of your life do you try to do too much? Do you feel like you flounder when too much is on your plate?
What would it look like for you to do less and lean on God in those areas?
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