What an eventful and captivating football weekend it was! Although there are many stories I could unpack today, I have to focus on my alma mater App State traveling to College Station to take down the number 6th ranked Texas A&M Aggies, 17-14. In many ways, this is a monster upset when you consider the differences between the size of the schools, the level of recruiting, and the financial backing from boosters. However, App State is a perennial winning program with a rich history of success on the football field. Since the Mountaineers moved from the lower FCS level of college football and made their FBS debut in 2014, they have the sixth-most wins (81) in the FBS during that span just behind Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma. App State is 80-20 in their last 100 games and their last seven games against Power Five teams have all been decided by seven points or less, with three wins and four defeats. Plus, we all remember that they knocked off Michigan (the 5th ranked team in the FBS) in 2007 when still playing in the FCS. (I was in the Big House when we made history!) With all that said, we probably shouldn't be surprised with App State’s win on Saturday at Texas A&M, but I have to confess I'm shocked! Even knowing how awesome my favorite football program is, I didn’t have the faith we could do it. I convinced myself that winning against such a talented SEC team on the road following a wild, emotional, heartbreaking loss to UNC the week before, would be too difficult. When I was an App State student and calling games for the college radio station, I followed the team really closely, was much more connected to the players, and always trusted the team to come through. My radical faith in the Mountaineers made me believe they'd win anytime they stepped on the field, regardless of the situation or the opponent. So what happened to me and how could I doubt that App would beat Texas A&M? I cheered hard, am thrilled they won, and I'm proud to be a Mountaineer, but because I'm not as closely connected or don't spend time around the team, it seems I've drifted from my once uncompromised faith. I forgot who they are, and what they've done in the past, and mistakenly didn't believe they could overcome the obstacles at Texas A&M. This brings to mind a significant parallel to our own lives and some of the difficult situations we face in our faith journeys. Do they sometimes seem too tough and impossible to win? Do we often buy the lie that God won’t do something miraculous? Have we frequently forgotten what He's done in the past? Unfortunately, when we drift from a close relationship with Jesus or find ourselves more disconnected than we used to be, doubts start to creep in. Thankfully, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful , for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13; AMP). We must get back to our child-like faith, believing and expecting God to accomplish the impossible, surprise us, and pull another upset. We can choose a radical faith and live with an uncompromised faith with full belief that God is unlimited, capable of anything, and always worthy to be trusted in any and every situation. Let’s not allow our hearts to be hardened or filled with disbelief, but keep our courage while we remain connected and confident in our hope in Christ. Hebrews 3:12-14 (NLT) tell us, “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today,' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” We must remind ourselves of who God is, and how He’s always been faithful, and reflect on every amazing thing He’s already done in our lives. We need to continue to be around Him and "the team" so our trust will continue to be strengthened. Hebrews 10:23 (AMP) says, “Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful …” Today, my App State radical faith has been rekindled and I feel silly to have doubted my Mountaineers. But even more importantly, I hope we're encouraged to keep our faith deeply rooted in the all-powerful, miraculous, loving God, knowing we can face any opponent or obstacle with confidence because He's always victorious and always comes through for us. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for doubting You. I know You are always faithful and worthy to be trusted. I pray I would have radical faith and not allow my heart to get hardened or drift from You. I desire to remain close as I hold tightly to the hope I have in You. Thank you for always coming through for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
In what ways have doubts crept in for you lately?
In what ways has God been faithful in your life that you need to be reminded of today?
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