The NCAA Tournament brackets were released last night (Join Our Challenge!) and each team is seeded based on the committee’s decision on where to slot them.
The number next to each school's name then plays a big role in the discussions about them for as long as they're still alive in the tournament.
While every team is given a seed or a spot on the bracket, some schools are likely to surpass expectations and win more games than their bracket placement would indicate.
Other teams are given a better seed than they can handle and will go down earlier than expected.
Teams given a poor seeding may end up struggling to win many games because of the tougher opponents they'll face, while teams seeded too richly may end up being overconfident and encounter an embarrassing defeat.
At the same time, there are plenty of programs that receive the proper seeding and are content with the committee's choice. Based on their season and roster, they may have needed a “7 seed” and that’s what they got.
As a result, they will start and end the tournament very satisfied with what they accomplished because of getting just the right seed and doing what they were expected to do based on the seed they were given.
In our own lives, we may spend a lot of time thinking about our “seeds,” such as the amount of money next to our names. We worry about not having enough compared to others or believe we’ve earned more than we’ve been given. We’re always looking to be labeled as a "top seed” and discontent when it doesn’t work out that way.
But there’s an alternative to this shortsighted way of thinking. Instead of always asking God for more, what if we ask Him to satisfy our needs by giving us the “proper seeding” and find contentment in what He provides?
Proverbs 30:8-9 (NLT) offers another perspective that we can implement as our prayer:
“First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s Holy name.”
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) reminds us to "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
Today, let’s be challenged to know the Lord deeply and pursue a life that is satisfied in Him above all else. As we honor God’s Holy name, let’s pray for the right portion, be content with what we're given, and make the most of whatever “seed” ends up next to our name.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the source of life and the ultimate provider. Please give me neither poverty nor riches, but enough to satisfy my needs. Help me to find contentment in the portion You decide, but more importantly to find my full satisfaction in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is your perspective on the amount of money God has entrusted to you?
Do you find yourself content or always wanting more?
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