The 49ers Are Rare

The San Francisco 49ers might be the best team in the NFL right now, as they’ve jumped out to a 4-0 start, outscoring their opponents 125-58. They are well-coached and have a loaded roster with talented stars. Running back, Christian McCaffrey is the early season MVP, coming off a four-touchdown performance on Sunday. The 49ers also line up stud wide receivers, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, to go along with premier tight end, George Kittle. Brock Purdy is in his second season and is now 9-0 in the regular season as the team’s starting quarterback. In their win against Arizona, Purdy completed 20 of 21 passes for 283 yards. This dominant, high-powered offense shines with its stars, but Purdy realizes how important their “rare” unselfishness factors into the type of team they have. Purdy explains in an article on Profootballtalk.com, “I think you have all this, stardom on a team and whatnot, and for everyone to just put the ego aside and be like, ‘Hey, we want to win. We want to win a Super Bowl and we’re going to do what it takes.' And I think what we all know is what it takes is to put the ego aside. "If I don’t get all these yards and catches and touchdowns for one game, but our other guy does, like, ‘Hey, I did my part to help win.’ And that’s what we all care about here. And really the leaders, the guys that have been here for a while have set that standard. It’s not like just certain guy, like we’ve all learned from the older guys that have come before us. So the culture, the organization here, that’s the standard.” He goes on to say when describing a specific play, “That’s what we’re talking about, like not having ego, being selfless, being able to make blocks like that even though those are guys that catch balls, score touchdowns, all that kind of stuff. But being willing to block in the run game down the field we all feed off it and so we got to maintain it and continue that.” Undoubtedly, the 49ers approach is working and their ability to put their ego aside will benefit them as the season goes along. Teams that consist of players willing to help their teammates shine, embrace celebrating one another, block for each other, and don’t get upset when not getting enough “touches” or credit, are truly the ones that stick together and win together. Seeing a team like the 49ers demonstrate humility, unselfishness, and selflessness is so refreshing, and a great reminder of what a team can accomplish when it’s made up of players with that kind of posture. What about us? Are we focused on our own stats and “touches” while making sure we get to shine and receive the credit…or are we following Jesus and asking Him to transform our selfishness into selflessness by valuing the interests of others more than ourselves? Are we self-serving…or do we have a passion to serve others? Do we chase what’s best for us…or what’s best for the team? Are we willing to do what it takes to put our ego aside and live with humility? Are we setting the standard in our areas of influence and representing a selfless attitude? Unfortunately, this is very challenging for us because we’re taught by the world to look out for “number one” and make sure we “get ours.” However, the Bible teaches us a very different approach that ultimately leads to much more winning. 1 Peter 5:5 (ESV) says, “...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) tells us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” The Message paraphrase of Philippians 2:1-4 explains, “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.'” On the flip side, whether in sports or life, when there’s selfishness, ego, and a dominant me-focus, we see major problems and the inability to win. As the Bible states in James 3:16 (NLT), “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” Today, let’s ask God to reveal the selfishness in our lives and allow Him to help us become less me-focused, so we’ll be willing to let our “teammates” shine, celebrate others, and “block” for one another. Remember, “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4; AMP). Let’s enjoy the blessings that come from living an unselfish life as we choose to be more like Jesus whose selflessness gives us life. I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I am a selfish person, but I desire to be more like Jesus. Please help me to lay down my selfish ambitions, value others more, build them up, and love them well. I pray You’ll remove my ego and show me the ways I can be more selfless. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS: 1. What areas of your life do you think you are the most selfish? 2. What is your experience being around selfless people and how do they inspire you?