When the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl this Sunday, it will be the second time in three years that the franchises have squared off for the sport's biggest prize.
The Chiefs have become yearly participants in the Super Bowl, making it five of the past six seasons while giving head coach Andy Reid plenty of experience handling the game's uniqueness.
However, this is Philadelphia head coach Nick Sirianni's second attempt at bringing home the Lombardi Trophy. With his team falling just short of winning a championship two years ago, he hopes to make some slight tweaks and adjustments that might better position his team for success this time.
Sirianni told reporters this week, "As you go through any game in the NFL…you think about the things that you did well. Then you think about the things that you didn't do well and how you can improve on those things. That was something that we went through when we got back from Phoenix (the location of Philadelphia's last Super Bowl appearance)... There's some things that we are doing a little bit different to try to get better from our last experience."
Though it has yet to be determined what impact Philadelphia's changes might have on this year's results, we can certainly appreciate their thoughtfulness and introspection as they prepare for Sunday's contest.
Rather than unthinkingly deciding to do things the same way they did two years ago, they carefully considered their decisions. They invested time to ensure that they could make any appropriate changes.
As followers of Jesus, we should master reflecting on our past decisions and carefully considering what changes we need to make.
Many of us find ourselves firmly entrenched in certain behaviors or routines. The longer we continue in those behavior patterns, the easier it can be to forget whether it would be wise to adjust our manner of living.
Proverbs 14:15 (ESV) tells us, "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps."
We must consider our steps seriously rather than wandering through life and making the most comfortable or familiar choices. As we use scripture's wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us accurately assess our options, we may discover that some tweaks and adjustments are necessary.
It is helpful to reflect on our past decisions and their results. As fundamental as this concept might seem, it can be challenging to slow down long enough to think things through intentionally at a deep level.
However, we can quickly see whether our decisions lead us to the desired results when we do.
In addition, we can take time to consider the outcomes that other people have experienced, so we might either avoid or embrace their behavior.
In 1 Corinthians 10:9-11 (NASB), Paul reminded the church in Corinth about how God punished the Israelites for their disobedience, hoping to encourage the believers to learn from their mistakes:
"Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Now, these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
On the more positive side, Hebrews 13:7 (NIV) says, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."
Today, let's remember that walking the narrow road can mean making difficult choices. Though it is tempting to continue with our current patterns, we must carefully consider our choices and make the necessary adjustments to glorify God.
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me make wise choices. May all of my decisions be guided by the wisdom You provide in Your Word so that I might bring You glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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