Super Bowl week officially kicked off last night with the Chiefs and 49ers gathering for “Opening Night” in Miami. Media members were out in full force as players and coaches answered countless questions during interviews.
With excitement in the air, players are undoubtedly thrilled about their team making it this far, and yet I wonder what their true perspective is.
Here are some thoughts they may be having as they process this week's reality:
I have to deal with so many media obligations and interviews...or I get to talk to the media all week long and share my thoughts with fans.
I have to worry about and pay for so many friends and family members that want Super Bowl tickets...or I get to share this experience with my friends and family members who will be in the crowd.
I have to avoid and miss out on so much of the fun and parties taking place in Miami because I have a game to prepare for or...I get to play in the biggest sporting event of the year and I don’t want any distractions affecting my focus.
I have to watch game film and prepare all week because it’s my job...or I get to play in a fun game on Sunday and I want to be as ready as possible.
What it comes down to is whether players view the activities during Super Bowl week as obligations...or opportunities.
As followers of Jesus, I find there is a parallel thought process that we encounter. We either view our life and identity in Christ as freeing and filled with immense opportunities...or we lean toward feeling trapped and filled with obligations. When this happens we feel like we have to obey, love, and serve.
The truth is, Jesus wants us to be free and filled with joy and excitement because of the abundant life He makes available to us. When we surrender and join the family of God, we are given so much and become part of something very special.
1 Peter 2:9-11 (NLT) says, “'...for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.
“'Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy. Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.'”
I'm reading a book right now called Identity, by Eric Geiger, who writes about our identity being found in Christ. As we rest in His freedom and understand who we really are, we shift our perspective from have to to get to.
Geiger writes:
"As God's child, you get to know and trust your Father.
As a priest, you actually get to spend time in the presence of God.
As the bride, you get to be faithful to God.
As God's servant, you get to serve Him.
As God's friend, you get to hang out with God.
As an alien in the world, you get to live for God’s kingdom.
As God’s ambassador, you get to speak for Him.”
The players this week are identified as members of Super Bowl LIV and get to experience everything that comes along with it. Let’s allow that to be a reminder we are identified as members of God’s family and get to experience everything that comes along with it.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you so much for allowing me to be in Your family. I appreciate the wonderful life I get to have because of it. Please help me to understand what it means to have my identity rooted in Christ and to live in freedom. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What aspects of your life feel more like obligations when they are actually opportunities?
Which "get to" above resonates the most with you today?
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