Week 7 in the NFL begins tomorrow night, and as we reflect on the season so far and the standings at this point, we see that teams like the Bengals, Jets, and Dolphins have been surprising disappointments.
We also have surprising teams winning their divisions, like Minnesota and Washington, but today, I want to focus on the situations across the league that shouldn't be surprising to us.
We shouldn't be surprised that the Lions are 4-1 and on a three-game winning streak, considering their loaded offense and weapons all over the field.
We shouldn't be surprised that the Chiefs are 5-0 since Andy Reid is still the coach and Patrick Mahomes is still the quarterback.
We shouldn't be surprised that the Ravens have won four games in a row with a running back as dominant as Derrick Henry and a quarterback as dangerous as Lamar Jackson.
We shouldn't be surprised that accomplished coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton have brought stability and legitimacy to the Chargers and Broncos.
On the flip side, we shouldn't be surprised that the Patriots are 1-5 without Bill Belichick as their coach, and the team is undergoing a rebuild.
We shouldn't be surprised the Cowboys are 3-3 after their weird offseason and contract disputes with key players.
Based on their quarterback situations, we shouldn't be surprised by the Raiders', Titans,' and Browns' slow starts to the season.
Surprises in sports are fun and expected, but often, the outcomes make clear sense and shouldn't catch anyone off guard based on what teams did to structure their roster and coaching staff and prepare for the season.
This principle is also true in our own lives. We praise God for the exciting surprises in our lives and trust Him during the difficult seasons we didn't see coming.
However, there are specific outcomes or consequences that we shouldn't be surprised by or caught off guard when we consider how we structure our lives and prepare ourselves to experience blessings and avoid dangers.
Proverbs 22:3 (NLT) says, "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."
We shouldn't be surprised by life's constant strife if we refuse to make the necessary adjustments God calls us.
We shouldn't be surprised we are filled with worry and fear when we aren't committed to praying and trusting Him.
We shouldn't be surprised when we feel empty and dissatisfied, considering we've been chasing after selfish ambitions or worldly pleasures.
We shouldn't be surprised that we're always angry when we refuse to forgive someone and hang onto bitterness.
We shouldn't be surprised when our marriage isn't in sync if we don't communicate, pray together, or be intentional with one another.
On the positive side…
We shouldn't be surprised when we find wonderful friendships and community, considering we make the effort, put ourselves out there, and invest in relationships.
We shouldn't be surprised when we meet genuinely joyful people when we consider their main focus is serving others.
We shouldn't be surprised when our kids follow Jesus if we give them an example.
We shouldn't be surprised when we have peace and clarity, considering we study scripture and memorize God's Word.
I can go on and on, but as we can see, we reap what we sow in life.
The Message paraphrases this truth so plainly in Galatians 6:7-8: "Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life."
Today, let's seek and follow God as we love others and invest in what matters. And when we do, we won't be surprised by our fruitful life with Christ.
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I fully understand the truth of reaping and sowing, and please show me the areas of my life I need to adjust. I desire to experience a fruitful and meaningful life that will help me sow into the things that will reap the best results. You have made it clear that I find the best life in You, and I praise You for guiding me along the right path. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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