The Super Bowl is almost here and I’m fired up to watch the intriguing matchup between the Chiefs and 49ers. I’m cheering for the Chiefs to win, but I look forward to seeing Travis Kelce from the Chiefs and Georgie Kittle from the 49ers shine at the tight end position.
They are not only two of my favorite players, but two of the best in the game right now, and a key reason for why their teams are playing on Sunday.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Super Bowl 54 will be the first one with both tight ends from the Associated Press All-Pro team playing against each other.
We’ve seen some amazing tight ends play in Super Bowls in the past, such as Shannon Sharpe, Vernon Davis, Dan Ross, and Rob Gronkowski, but no tight end has ever won the Super Bowl MVP.
Could this year be the first time?
I’m a big fan of the tight end position and believe a team with a great one gives them a huge advantage. They create incredible mismatches for the defense and have a unique role as blocker and receiver.
Kelce and Kittle are respected as both, and they’ve been very valuable assets to their teams for their ability to help protect their quarterbacks and catch passes from them.
As I prepare to root for the tight ends on Sunday, I realize that their ability to block and receive actually parallels our own lives. Each day, negativity and temptation come to attack us and we are required to be a “blocker” by keeping our "quarterback" protected.
When feelings of worry, anxiety, fear, doubt, and anger start coming at us, we must block them and keep them from bringing us down and taking over our mind and heart.
It’s easier said than done, and we do have an opponent who is attempting to destroy us, but thankfully we have the tools needed to block well.
We are encouraged in Ephesians 6:13-17 (NLT) to "...put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
"For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
God gives us the strength we need to be a “blocker,” and we must rest in His truth and peace as we rely on our faith in Him to overcome the negative thoughts and challenging temptations.
The other role of a tight end is to be a “receiver” - to catch the ball, bring it in close, and cling to it. Likewise, God has made so much available for us to receive.
Salvation, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are free gifts when we receive Jesus and cling to Him. Daily, we "catch" His blessings with thanksgiving and receive His love and kindness with open hands.
We’re also told in Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV), "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
When we enter into eternity with Christ, we receive an inheritance far beyond what we can comprehend, and even now, as children of God, we receive direct access to Him through prayer.
As we watch Kittle and Kelce block linebackers and receive passes on Sunday, let’s be reminded of the importance of blocking and the benefits of receiving we’ve experienced in our own lives.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me the armor I need to block against temptation and negative thoughts that try to take me down. Thank you for allowing me to receive Your love and grace. Thank you for the salvation I receive through Jesus. It's in His name I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What does putting on the armor of God practically look like each day?
What do you have the toughest time receiving from God, as a result of feeling unworthy?
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