Every week in the NFL, coaches, and players watch game film to see what was done well on the field and what aspects of their play need improvement. They also spend time watching game film of their upcoming opponent to figure out ways to stop them, as well as, come up with offensive plays to combat the defense. What’s interesting, however, is that the best teams seem to spend more time working on their own play and finding ways to improve versus spending a lot of energy thinking about what the other teams might do. If a team focuses on improving its offensive line and opening up more holes for its running back, who the opponent is won't matter as much. Teams can’t control what their opponent will do, but they do have the ability to practice and tweak the changes that need to be made in their own locker room. It’s not that a team doesn’t prepare for their competition, but it comes down to having a mentality that “we have to take care of our business first” and make the necessary adjustments. So many bad teams spend their time complaining about the refs or making excuses about the other team doing this or that and don’t properly point the finger at themselves. They get caught up in what the media is saying about them or how they compare to other teams in their division. I believe it serves teams so much better to evaluate their own weekly play on the field and figure out improvements they can make instead of worrying about what other teams are doing. When it comes to our own lives, we have similar choices to make. Do we focus on our own skills, work, calling, responsibilities, growth, and improvement…or do we spend all of our time worrying about how we compare to others? Are we more concerned with what others are doing and how we don’t stack up…or are we content with examining our own lives and being obedient to what God is asking of us individually? Of course, I’m not saying we don’t care for others or serve others, or think more about others than ourselves, but when it comes to improvement and obedience, we need to take personal responsibility. We don’t want to get caught up in comparing or blaming. The Bible says in Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT), “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” The Amplified Version of the same verses put it this way: “But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work , and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. For every person will have to bear his own burden .” Also, when we seek Jesus and follow His Word, we are daily changed from the inside out. By making the proper personal adjustments, we become more equipped to handle the enemy or our opponent. Today, let’s evaluate our own hearts and scrutinize our own “game film” as we submit to God’s transforming power. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to always grow in my understanding of You and my devotion to You. Please change me and enhance my abilities to do Your work. I pray I wouldn’t be so worried about comparing or concerned with what everyone else is doing. I know I’m responsible for being a good steward of the life You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What do you struggle with the most when it comes to comparing?
2. Why do you think it's more important for a team to improve their own play first...and how do you think that parallels our own approach in life?
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