Ever since Patrick Mahomes took over as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, he and the team have experienced incredible success. That continued last night as the Chiefs overcame a double-digit deficit to knock off the 49ers in overtime, 25-22, becoming the first back-to-back Super Bowl winners since the Patriots 19 years ago. During the six seasons Mahomes has been the starting QB, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls, appeared in four, and played in six straight AFC Championships. During this period, the 28-year-old Mahomes has been named the Super Bowl MVP in all three wins and the regular season MVP twice. What Mahomes, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, and every contributor to this Chiefs dynasty have accomplished is remarkable. They were able to win it all in consecutive years, which is astonishing in today’s NFL landscape. They are now on a whole new level of success, which causes me to wonder how they will handle it. How will they respond to this historic rise to the top and additional Lombardi Trophy? How will they use their platform, power, and influence? How will they handle their access and open doors that result from this amount of success? How will they approach the offseason? Will they rest and refuel for another run next year, or will they take advantage of every opportunity and get burned out? Will they remain hungry and motivated to continue to make sacrifices to win? Will they remain team-focused or chase after individual credit and recognition? How will they handle the increased accolades, applause, and media attention? Will the players that return next year still listen to their coaches? Will they be distracted by their accomplishments and buy into the hype, becoming prideful and arrogant? Are they filled with gratitude, or is their mentality “I deserve this”? There's no doubt the Chiefs are experiencing success and have the ability to enjoy it, but the temptations and tests that follow will determine how they handle their success. When it comes to our lives, we face many challenges and disappointments, but we also experience seasons of success and favorable circumstances. Sometimes, this is according to the world’s standards, which include work accomplishments, financial wins, and athletic achievements. As followers of Jesus, it also includes spiritual blessings, answered prayers, family victories, and desires coming to fruition. Whatever the success or blessing is, the question is, how do we handle it? Do we get distracted by our accomplishments and buy into our own hype, becoming prideful and arrogant? Who gets the glory? Do we become more self-reliant and self-centered? Do we want to take all the credit? Are we filled with gratitude, or is our attitude, “I deserve this”? Are we still dependent on God? Do we still listen to Him and obey? What do we do with increased wealth, influence, platform, or power? Do we always want more because it’s never enough? Are we unwilling to rest because we want more success and then get burned out? Are we others focused with a desire to give and bless others? Do we take our blessings for granted? Do we remain content in Christ, or is our happiness based on success? Do we continue having a hunger and longing to know God and fellowship with Him? Does our spiritual “success” lead to self-righteousness or an even deeper humility for God’s grace, perfect character, and kindness? Today, while wondering how the Chiefs will handle their continued success in light of how challenging it is to not fall into the traps that come with it, let's remember to humbly praise God for the blessings and successes in our lives. Let's keep our hearts aligned with His as we rely on Him to help us avoid temptations. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (AMP) offers us this essential encouragement: “As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share . In this way storing up for themselves the enduring riches of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that my heart, desires, and pursuits will be aligned with You. If You allow success or increase in my life, please help me remain humble and dependent on You. I pray I’d live a life that truly matters, which I realize may not include worldly success, but if it does, I pray that it would be for Your glory. Please help me not to fall into the temptations that come from success. Thank you for every blessing I have, and help me never forget that every good gift comes from You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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