The Detroit Lions have historically been known as losers with the saying “Same Old Lions” representing their franchise’s history of disappointment. However, the process of dropping that label began on June 23rd, 2020 when Sheila Hamp became principal owner of the Lions, taking over for her mother, Martha Ford. Hamp then hired Chris Spielman to the front office, Brad Holmes as general manager, and Dan Campbell as head coach. Together, they have changed the identity of the Detroit Lions which was on full display Sunday night as they won their first playoff game since the 1991 season. It was an incredible night for the Lions fans as they watched their team hold on to an exciting 24-23 win over the LA Rams and Matthew Stafford. They will host multiple postseason games for the first time in franchise history, as they will welcome either the Bucs or the Eagles to Ford Field next weekend. Yesterday’s win proved this team is no longer the “Same Old Lions'' and they have a new identity. Ever since head coach, Dan Campbell took over, he’s changed the team’s approach, mindset, and ultimately their belief that they could move past the history of losing and who they used to be. The players believed this to be true and demonstrated on a huge stage in a tight game that they are now the new Lions. We talk a lot about identity in sports and life and it can be defined as “the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is.” Identity “refers to our sense of who we are as individuals and as members of social groups...and our sense of how others may perceive and label us.” The Lions’ identity changed, which means the way they play, what they believe to be true, the results, and how they're viewed by others are now different. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we experience a much deeper and critical identity change. We move from “Same Old ___” who can’t seem to win, full of disappointment, and old patterns of sin, and become a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP) explains, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ , he is a new creature ; the old things have passed away. Behold, new things have come .” The question becomes, do we really believe that our identity has changed? Do we believe that we are now God’s child, declared forgiven, more than conquerors, a member of the body of Christ, and freed from the bondage of sin? When Jesus takes over, our lives and our identity are rooted in Him. He then changes our approach, and mindset, and helps us believe we can move past our history of losing and who we used to be. When our identity is in Christ, the way we “play,” what we believe to be true, the results, and how we are viewed by others are also different. Today, let’s be reminded that if we are in Christ, then our identity (our sense of who we are and our characteristics) must be based on who He is, what He’s done for us, and who He says we are…because we are no longer the “Same Old Lions”! I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that through Christ I have been made new. I pray that You’ll help me believe and understand that my identity has truly changed and I’m not who I used to be. I pray that You’ll continue to transform me and when people see me they will see Jesus shining through. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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