Major League Baseball seems to be constantly looking for ways to improve their game, attract fans, and add new wrinkles, while also attempting to keep their players and traditional fans happy. The latest proposed changes are directed toward the postseason format. A few of the ideas that have been discussed include adding four more teams, expanding the wild-card series, and allowing higher-ranked seeds to select their opponent in the wild-card round. Of course, these suggestions have created quite the reaction from players, fans, and media members and the responses have been both positive and negative. Interestingly, some baseball purists and traditionalists like things the way they are, don't want anyone messing with their sport, and view any tweak to the game as unnecessary or outrageous. On the flip side, you have fans, media members, and players who are open to change and willing to listen to possible suggestions and fresh ideas, because they admit the sport can be improved. They don't feel like the game has to remain exactly the same and are flexible enough to embrace possible alterations to something like the playoff format. When it comes to the latest possible changes in Major League Baseball, I'm not sure there is a right or wrong side, but we do see the different mindsets and how adaptability and stubbornness emerge. In our own lives, we wrestle between the two as well. On the one hand, stubbornness can be good when sticking to our beliefs, not being easily swayed by others, and standing firm on the truth of the Bible. Yet, there are areas of our lives and aspects of who we are that really do need to change in order to help us become a different and better person. Unfortunately, we can be stubborn and choose to settle for the way life is and accept who we are as who we'll always be. We get stuck in our ways! Instead of being open to God’s transforming power in our lives, we can easily fall into the trap of embracing our character flaws with the mindset, "That's how it's always been, I'm not going to change now." However, as followers of Jesus, we must continually be in the process of transforming our lives and becoming more like Him. It's crucial that we show flexibility and stop hanging on to our hardheaded ways so that we embrace the readily available power that leads to a new heart and a changed life. We are told about this power with the restoration of Israel found in Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT): “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP) also says, "And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from glory to glory, which comes from the Lord, the Spirit."
The longer we walk with Jesus and rely on His transforming power, the more changes that will take place in our lives. Today, let’s make sure our stubbornness isn’t getting in the way of God doing His mighty work in our hearts.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I admit my stubbornness is a problem at times. I pray that You would continue to soften my heart and transform me to be more like Jesus. Forgive me for not being willing to change and thinking my ways are best. Help me to be open to constructive criticism from others who care about me so that I always have an openness to moving on from who I used to be. Thank you for Your power. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what areas of your life is stubbornness causing conflict?
What needs to change in your life, but you continue to resist?
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