It's Me, I'm the Problem

As we watch the NFL each week, we know how important the quarterback is, and how the winning teams usually have the best performances at that position. The flipside can also be true, and so far this season, we've seen struggles from quarterbacks, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Bryce Young, and Desmond Ridder. They've had some success while shining on certain plays or for a half here and there, but yesterday, all four were involved in disappointing losses. An entire team loses football games, yet quarterbacks understand the significant role they play in the outcome, so all four of these QBs acknowledged their mistakes and admitted their faults. Chicago lost to the Broncos, despite being up 21 points earlier in the game. When the Bears were down 3 with 38 seconds left and on 3rd and 13, Fields tried to find his tight end, Cole Kmet, but instead was intercepted. Following the loss, Fields made this comment about the play: “All in all, it’s my fault. It comes down to being my fault...I gotta be better for the team in that situation.” Meanwhile, I was at the Panthers and Vikings game where I had to witness the offense’s inability to score a touchdown all day. Thanks to the Panthers' defense, they had the lead late in the third quarter (13-7) until Bryce Young was strip-sacked and the Vikings scooped and scored to take the lead 14-13 and went on to win 21-13. After the game, Bryce Young took the blame for that key play, saying, “Turning the ball over is something we talk about a lot and that was a huge, huge, huge swing of the game. That’s solely, single-handedly on me. It’s stuff we talked about. That’s no one else but me.” Over in London, it was challenging for the Falcons as QB, Desmond Ridder, threw two interceptions, including a pick-6 in their loss to the Jaguars 23-7. Ridder owned up to his turnovers confessing, “I did a terrible job of taking care of the ball.” Last night, Zach Wilson was on the national stage as he continues to experience the pressure of filling in for the injured Aaron Rodgers. For the most part, he played much better, but the Jets still lost 23-20 to the Chiefs. Unfortunately for him, he fumbled a snap in the middle of the fourth quarter that allowed the Chiefs to take over and seal the win. Wilson told the media, “It’s on me. Critical situation, I can’t have a play like that. I cannot drop the ball. This team is sacrificing a lot. Guys were making plays, defense was making plays, o-line was protecting, receivers were making plays. To be driving right there, to drop a snap — I cannot do that. I lost us that game and I cannot do that. I was making it clear to those guys that I need to be better. I need to be better on the little things, the details. Can’t happen.” As frustrating as it is for each of these quarterbacks, and as much as we have reasons to criticize them, I appreciate their willingness not to shift the blame, make absurd excuses, or deny what they did. Instead, their comments indicate they knew they were the problem and their mistakes cost their team. In other words, "It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me" as a famous NFL fan (who has now infiltrated every NFL conversation) wrote in one of her songs. I imagine it’s difficult for highly competitive and previously successful quarterbacks to humbly admit “It’s on me” or “I did a terrible job” or “It’s my fault” or “That’s no one else but me.” But by doing so, it allows them to honestly evaluate what happened and make the necessary improvements while showing their teammates accountability. When it comes to our own lives, we too make mistakes, turn the ball over, and fail at key moments. We then have a choice to either deny what we did, shift the blame, make absurd excuses, or own what we did and say, “I’m the problem,” “It’s my fault,” and “It’s on me.” As followers of Jesus, we desire to obey, pursue holiness, and not make mistakes or sin, but the reality is, that we do. We don't accept it or blow it off as no big deal, but we continually experience His grace in our lives as we confess our sins and acknowledge our need for His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) tells us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." By admitting when we blow it, we can honestly evaluate what happened and make the necessary improvements while showing our "teammates" accountability, as well. James 5:16 (ESV) implores us to "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Just like an NFL QB can't pretend that he's perfect out there, in life, we can't pretend that we're perfect and act self-righteously. Instead, we humbly declare our brokenness and our need for Jesus' saving grace. 1 John 1:8 (AMP) says, "If we say we have no sin , we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. ." We can echo Psalm 32:5 (ESV): "I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin." Today, let's be quick to say "my bad" and admit when we're the problem as we rest in God's wonderful grace. And by the way, let me confess, I'm part of the problem...sorry for the Taylor Swift reference earlier - it's my fault! I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I am a sinner in need of grace. Every day I make mistakes and fail, but I'm so grateful You continue to love me and forgive me for my sins. I pray that I will admit when it's my fault, acknowledge when I'm the problem, and be willing to be held accountable. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:

1. What holds you back from quickly admitting when you make a mistake and sin? 2. Why is it so important to acknowledge when you are the problem and it's your fault?