Head coach, Les Miles, was recently fired by LSU despite winning a national title, two SEC championships, and 77 percent of his games. He’s been regarded as one of the top coaches in college football, but his unwillingness to change his offensive philosophy seems to be the reason LSU is moving on without him. ESPN writer, Chris Low, put it this way, “For all of Les Miles' good qualities, the way he related to his players, the way his players swore by him and the way he made college football fun with his quirkiness, it was his stubbornness that brought about his demise.” In college football, coaches across the country have embraced the new styles of offense which create more scoring opportunities and more entertainment for fans. It’s a new era in college football, but Miles refused to adapt and remained hardheaded. When I consider the meaning of stubbornness in our own lives, there are two sides to it. On one side, you are sticking to your beliefs and not being easily swayed by others. But on the other side, if we desire to be more like Jesus, then heart change is inevitable and we should be open to it. As followers of Jesus, we are always in the process of being transformed and don’t want to remain hardheaded. Interacting with people who think their ways are best and are not willing to stop doing things they’ve always done, isn't easy. It's also difficult to deal with people who accept they are a certain way and embrace their character flaws, instead of being open to God’s transforming power in their lives. But I don't know why we would try and hang on to who we used to be when that power is available to us. We are told about this power with the restoration of Israel found in Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT): "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow My decrees and be careful to obey My regulations.”
The longer we walk with Jesus, the more changes that will take place in our lives, so let’s make sure our stubbornness isn’t "leading to our demise" or getting in the way of God doing His mighty work in our hearts. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I admit my stubbornness is a problem at times. I pray that you would continue to soften my heart and transform me to be more like Jesus. Forgive me for not being willing to change or thinking my ways are always best. I pray I would be open to constructive criticism from others who care about me so that I always have an openness to moving on from who I used to be. Thank you for Your power. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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