The Carolina Panthers have hired Frank Reich as their next head coach. Although I was rooting for Steve Wilks to get the job after winning the locker room and fan base as an interim head coach last season, I’m excited about Reich. I’m a big fan of his and pulled for him while he was a head coach in Indianapolis. Reich used to live in Charlotte where he's very well respected. He was a pastor and a seminary president, and I heard him speak at a “Fired up for Christ” event when I was in middle school. I believe he’ll do a great job in Carolina, as he brings his proven leadership to the team and will be awesome at molding the Panthers' next franchise QB. While driving into the office today, his brother Joe (the head football coach at Wingate University in the Charlotte area) was talking on the radio (WFNZ) about Frank becoming the Panthers' new head coach. When asked to describe his brother, he convincingly explained how he is “very well thought out” and “he doesn’t do random.” With Frank, “every little detail of everything is going to be well thought out.” Joe went on to talk about the research Frank will do in the offseason and throughout the year and how he’ll evaluate every area of the program. This means he’s well thought out when it comes to the psychological approach he’ll take with the team, the science, the training, the sports performance, the weight room, and how they interview guys. I expect he has a well-thought-out plan for the Panthers to have success and become a winning franchise once again. I appreciate that he’s "very well thought out" as a coach, and when you hear him in interviews you can tell he actually thinks about what he’s going to say next and doesn’t rush his responses. Being thought out is important for a head coach, but when it comes to our own lives, do we pursue being “very well thought out”? Do we plan, consider, research, evaluate, and diligently think through what we are going to say and do? Or are we careless, random, too spontaneous, or reactionary? Yes, there are times to be spontaneous and respond quickly, and we don’t want to overthink everything, but it’s always wise to be thoughtful. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV) says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Proverbs 15:28 (NLT) tells us, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.” Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) declares, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” As followers of Jesus, are we “very well thought out” as we study scripture? Do we truly seek His guidance as we carefully prepare, examine, and ponder the best approach to every area of our lives? Are we in sync with Him or are we aimlessly moving forward in life? Today, while seeing there's great value in football and life to being “very well thought out” and prepared, let’s be encouraged by 1 Peter 1:13 (AMP): “So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober , fix your hope completely on the grace that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please show me how to be very well thought out and prepared to do what You call me to do. I pray I wouldn’t be so reactionary or thoughtless about the choices I make. Please guide me to be more diligent. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. Do you consider yourself more of a planner and well thought out, or are you overly spontaneous and careless? 2. In what ways are you challenged to be more well-thought-out as a follower of Jesus?
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