The Missed Field Goal

The Carolina Panthers played a very good game against the Denver Broncos last night. Being in the lead for most of the game, it appeared they would pull out the win. However, when a late surge put Denver out in front, the Panthers needed to hit a 50-yard field goal to leave with a win. Unfortunately, Graham Gano’s kick went wide left and the Panthers lost their 2nd straight game to the Broncos. Graham Gano had this to say after the loss: “I've got a lot of games left. I had a lot of teammates come up to me and say that I'm going to help us win a lot of games and I believe them. I wish I could have it back, but the reality is I can't. I've just got to move on and make the next kick." Gano also added: "There's nothing I can do about it. I feel bad I let my team down. We worked really hard tonight to get the win. I wish I could have it back, but I've got to move on." As a Panthers fan, I’m really bummed that Gano didn’t make that kick, but I appreciate his perspective on what happened. He’s going to have more opportunities to hit game-winners and he must allow this pain to make him even better for the next one, instead of derailing him and remain in regret.

In our own lives, each of us has moments we wish we could take back and make decisions that should have been decided differently. We can’t believe certain situations play out the way they do and we wrestle with the regret from the outcome. But if we aren't careful, we'll play the what-if game in our heads and it can lead us to an even worse place. The reality is, we are going to miss kicks in life, but we can’t dwell on them to the point it prevents us from moving forward. Feeling the pain and conviction, turning to the Lord, and allowing Him to use it to grow us is crucial. Instead of the missed kick leading to regret, God can use it to strengthen and change us. We can’t change the outcome, but our character can change in preparation for the next opportunity. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT), "For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death."

When we blow it and miss the kick, we must choose to either pursue Jesus or live in disappointment. We either rest in the grace and salvation that’s found in Him or we remain in the regret and sorrow that lead nowhere. We can’t go back, but we can move forward...stronger and more reliant on God to help us hit it through the uprights the next time around. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the sin in my life and the moments I miss the mark. Please help me not to live in regret, but live with hope and repentance. I pray for your strength as I rest in the grace and salvation you’ve given me. Help me to look forward instead of dwell on the past. Thank you for your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.