Once again, the New England Patriots head into the 2019 season as the reigning Super Bowl Champs for the 6th time.
They continue to be successful year after year, as they’ve had a winning record for the past 18 seasons. Head Coach Bill Belichick sets the tone and leads his team to wins even as the players change each year.
In an ESPN.com article, Mike Reiss shares a few quotes that provide great insight into the perspective that leads to the Patriots' consistency:
Veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman explains that "Last year's team is last year's team. We have a lot of turnover. Coach Belichick does a good job reminding us that last year is last year."
Belichick’s close friend, former MLB manager Tony La Russa, has come to this conclusion: "I believe his ability and his staff's ability, and his team's ability to start at zero every year - refuse to think about last year - is an important part of why they are so consistent."
Despite all of their success, Belichick and his staff are always asking the question, "How can we get better?"
The Patriots are the standard for greatness in the NFL and there is so much to glean from their philosophy and approach that translates to life and faith.
As followers of Jesus who desire to become more and more like Him and live in a way that honors Him, we should continually ask “How can we get better?” and "How can we continue to seek, grow, mature, and improve instead of settling?"
Paul's personal longing for this (written in Philippians 3:10-11; AMP) gives us an excellent challenge: “...so that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection , and the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed to His death ; so that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
The Patriots have already accomplished so much at the highest level, but the very best in sports know there's always room to grow. Bill Belichick's daughter puts it this way: "The Patriots don't settle for greatness because it's never good enough."
The Patriots haven't reached perfection, but they continue to pursue it. What Paul goes on to say in Philippians 3:12-14 (TLB) parallels their pursuit and how the Patriots recognize the importance of moving forward from what they've done in the past:
"I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.
"No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us." Today, let's be encouraged to move on from the past as we look forward to our future, knowing that one day we will be in perfect fellowship with Jesus for eternity. Until then, let's continue to press on toward spiritual maturity...remaining consistent year after year! I'm Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that I fall short of Your glory, but I'm so thankful that through Jesus I'm able to move on the from the past and focus on the future - an eternity with You. In the meantime, please help me continue to grow in my knowledge and character. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
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