It’s been a strong NFL season so far, but like most years, the storylines each week usually center around injuries.
We’ve seen top running backs like Christian McCaffrey, David Montgomery, Saquon Barkley, Chris Carson, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire miss significant time with major injuries. Now, even the league’s leading rusher, Derrick Henry, is out indefinitely.
Quarterback, Russel Wilson, has been out for the last few weeks and Jameis Winston is done for the year.
Last night, the Jets were down to their third-string QB because of injuries while the Colts' star running back, Jonathan Taylor, got his knee banged up. Thankfully, it turned out to be minor and he was able to return.
Almost every player in the league has something that hurts and will deal with injuries throughout the season.
Fortunately, the injuries aren’t always bad enough to end their season, so they miss a few plays or a few games. These types of injuries are characterized as being less of a concern compared to the major injuries that sideline a player for a long time.
This leads to coaches, media, and fans having these kinds of responses during and after games when viewing their injuries:
“It’s no big deal.”
“It’s just a minor ankle injury.”
“Good, it’s just a concussion – nothing more serious.”
“Don’t worry about it, get back out there.”
But these minor injuries compound, cause pain, and affect how players play. If they’re not addressed and properly healed, regardless of how small an injury may be perceived, it can lead to other issues.
Saying that an injury is “not that bad, it could be worse” is a positive thing to say and it can be true, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that an injury is an injury and it needs to be dealt with - not overlooked.
If we’re honest with ourselves, a similar mindset can take over when it comes to our view of certain sins and commandments in the Bible. At times, don’t we all take particular sins lightly and casually downplay how much pain they actually cause?
We consider sins like murder, lying, and stealing as “major,” but may regard our fight against drunkenness, lust, greed, gluttony, and envy not as big of a deal.
There are topics that God’s Word emphasizes more than others, and the consequences of breaking some commandments have a greater effect on ourselves and others. However, sin is sin and if it’s not dealt with and we don’t go through proper healing, it can lead to even more issues.
If we want to truly honor God, follow His ways, and be a light in this world, we can’t view sin as “nothing serious” or “not that bad, it could be worse.”
That might be partly true, but we either desire to do His will, know His Word, and rely on His strength to obey Him…or choose to pursue our selfish desires and view sin as no big deal.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (AMP) tells us to “Abstain from every form of evil .”
Romans 13:14 (NLT) says, “Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”
Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross and salvation is a gift from God, so as we follow Him, we must view sin seriously like He does - regardless of something being considered minor or major.
We need to make sure our hearts are in the right place and fully devoted to God, so we can maintain a deep desire for obedience. Although we still “get injured” at times and we all fall short, we can rest in God’s grace and forgiveness when we surrender to Jesus.
When we grieve our sin, confess, and repent, He readily heals our brokenness. All sin affects our lives and can quickly compound if not dealt with, as it ultimately causes pain whether felt now or later.
Today, let’s allow the words of Psalm 119:9-11 (AMP) to help us take an inventory of our heart and give us the right perspective toward all sin:
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch according to Your Word . With all my heart I have sought You, ; do not let me wander from Your commandments . Your Word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for not taking Your Word and Your clear commandments as seriously as I should. Please show me the areas I need to surrender, and give me a passion for obedience as I consider the undeserving grace and love You show me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
When do you struggle with putting sin into categories of minor and major?
How do you get back on track when your sin compounds and causes pain?
When God reveals sin in your life, how do you respond?
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