The Super Bowl matchup is set, and for the third time in four seasons and the eighth time since 2001, the New England Patriots are representing the AFC.
Despite Tom Brady’s injured hand and a strong performance by the Jaguars on Sunday, the Patriots overcame an 11-point deficit and did what they always do...win! Sustaining this level of success since 2001 is truly remarkable.
The role players and assistant coaches have changed over the years, but Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the constants. They have a winning formula that keeps them on top, and they know what it takes to defeat their opponents year after year.
An impressive element to the longevity of Tom and Bill is how they never get tired of winning or competing. When you think about this level of consistent motivation and intensity, it's very rare to see.
Many coaches and players retire early or get burned out from the grind - especially after winning the Super Bowl. But because Tom and Bill never get tired of being great, they continue to do what it takes to be in the Super Bowl.
Maintaining a mentality of “never getting tired of being great” is also important as we live out our faith. Our goals and motivations are different than competing for a Super Bowl, but there is a necessary mindset to stay the course - especially when we think we’ve had enough.
Even as we follow Jesus, there can be times when we don't feel like doing "good" anymore. When life doesn't go the way we want and we "lose a game," we are forced to decide whether we continue on the path God has set for us, or if we give up and do our own thing.
With the start of a new year, we may be wondering how much longer we can keep serving others and putting their needs ahead of our own...or why we're not seeing the outcome we wanted from doing the right thing for such a long time.
Ultimately, God’s way leads to victory...and serving Him and loving Him is good. As crazy as it sounds, when we say we want to do something else and follow our own way, we're actually admitting to being tired of winning and doing good.
In these conflicting moments, we need to shift our eyes toward the prize, which is Jesus, and keep going with His strength. When we remember that what He accomplished on the cross is enough, we will want to continue winning and doing good in response.
The Bible greatly encourages us in Galatians 6:9 (NLT): "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up."
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NLT) also give us this significant challenge: "As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”
Today, let’s keep winning! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes I don’t feel like doing what is right. Help me not lose sight of Jesus or start to drift toward going my own way. Please give me strength and a proper mindset to keep doing what is good...as I know Your blessings will continue to flow. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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