It’s really hard to make it to the Super Bowl, let alone win it, and it’s even harder to win multiple Super Bowls or win back to back.
So when we hear players on the Kansas City Chiefs talk about how many they're going to win in the coming years, we roll our eyes and criticize them.
Newly re-signed star defensive tackle, Chris Jones, recently went on local radio and said the following:
"We plan to have another parade and another parade and another parade. We're going to make sure we bring not one, not two, not three, not four, but five-plus rings to Kansas City. It's been 50 years of waiting, but the wait is over now. It's time to create a dynasty."
His teammate, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, seems to be even more optimistic in his response to Jones' comments:
“...Chris Jones, he's definitely -- he's definitely a man of his word, and we're definitely creating something special here in KC, so I don't see why not. Why say five? Why not go seven rings? Right now we're just chasing Jordan, so that's what we do. So I'm going over five, and I'm saying seven."
Again, when we first hear these predictions, they sound crazy, cocky, and seemingly impossible. The odds of them winning seven rings is very low and there's so much uncertainty with what could happen during the next few years.
I recently wrote a devotional about making predictions in sports and life and how in our own lives we need to humbly acknowledge that God is in control and holds our future. (You can read it here.)
I also believe there's another way to look at the comments made by the Chiefs. The truth is, not every team that wins the Super Bowl really thinks they have a dynasty in the making. Some teams know they got hot at the right time, caught some breaks, and were able to win it all during that one playoff run.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, have built their team through the draft, have talented young players locked up on long-term deals, and have a strong foundation to consistently win for the foreseeable future.
I actually appreciate the mindset of guys like Hill and Jones because they expect to win, expect to be the best, and are confident in their teammates.
They still need to remain humble, knowing how hard it will be to win again, but their mindset about continuing to win at the highest level is going to help them keep the momentum going. Teams that want to keep winning have to believe they can and will.
The parallel for our own lives comes down to our view of God and our approach to prayer. Are we operating with a big view of God, expecting Him to answer prayers according to His will, and believing that victory is found in Him?
Or, do we have a limited view of Him where we doubt in His abilities and willingness to move in our lives and the lives of those around us?
Do we think God will only answer prayer once or do we have faith He'll do it again? Do we keep believing in Him for the miraculous, even when facing unthinkable odds?
Do we approach Him with confident hope, trusting He's able to do what appears impossible?
We can’t always fully understand what God is up to or how our situations fit into His will, but we can cling to His power with full expectations that we will win in the end...and win big.
Even when we think “five Super Bowls” are too unattainable, God can deliver us in ways that exceed even the most hopeful or confident expectations.
Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 3 in verses 20-21 (AMP):
"Now to Him who is able to do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think , according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
We worship and serve a mighty and sovereign God who is capable of anything, so as His children, we can be filled with hope and confidence, expecting Him to continue to do great things.
Jesus tells us in Luke 18:27: “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Jeremiah 32:17 declares, “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by Your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for You!”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn't hold back my hope or confidence because something appears impossible. Please help me to trust You fully, expecting victory in my life. You are powerful and nothing is too hard for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What are some examples of times God has done something that seemed impossible?
What are you praying about right now that you have confident hope for?
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