The Ohio State Buckeyes are National Champions after defeating Notre Dame in the first Championship game following the new 12-team playoff format.
The 8th-seeded Buckeyes knocked off Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas on their way to becoming the National Champion for the 9th time in school history.
Loaded with talent, future NFL players, and outspoken players of faith, this team experienced plenty of challenges. On Monday, I wrote about head coach Ryan Day and many fans' doubts about him following the team's 4th straight loss to Michigan at the end of the regular season.
Today, I want to unpack how one word describes the Buckeyes’ response to that loss and went all the way. They operated with "resilience" - "the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties."
The team didn't give up or allow that loss to derail them. Instead, it built and revealed their character.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka said, "There's multiple ways that you can respond to adversity in life, and that adversity brought us closer as an entire group. We were able to lift each other up in that moment, and we've gotten stronger because of it."
After they beat Texas in the playoff, defensive end Jack Sawyer said, "The resiliency of this team, from a month ago, it's been incredible."
Ryan Day shared this after the Championship win: "After all the things that have been said throughout the year, these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history and one of the best football teams ever.
"There was a point where not a lot of people had that vision, but these guys did, and they saw it through. Ohio State may not be for everybody, but it's for these guys."
Following the win against Notre Dame, linebacker Cody Simon said, "I think that story is about determination, resilience, humility, just thankfulness, faithfulness, just everything good that come out of a team game and a team sport. I think our team has showed it this year."
As we consider the resilience learned and demonstrated by the National Champion Buckeyes, I hope we can be encouraged to live in a way marked by resilience.
As followers of Jesus, we especially have "the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties" when we rely on His power and strength within us to get us through all the challenges along our journeys.
Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT), "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed."
Along the way, our faith and character strengthen as we respond well to adversity by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and holding onto the promises, vision, and victory God has given us.
Today, let's show our resilience by not giving up and continuing on the journey dependent on God while empowered by the Holy Spirit. Remember what God says in Isaiah 41:10 (TLB): "Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand."
I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to demonstrate resilience in my life, and I know the only way I can do that is by trusting You and relying on Your strength. Please help me to recover and respond well to adversity and give me the capacity to withstand difficulties. Thank you for upholding me with Your victorious right hand. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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