The Detroit Lions will be featured on this year’s TV show, Hard Knocks. Seeing the behind-the-scenes of how they operate will be very interesting, as they are known as a losing franchise that rarely makes the playoffs and has a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft almost every year. With loyal fans who want to cheer for a winner, they remain hopeful that their newest head coach, Dan Campbell, will finally change the culture and build sustainable success. Heading into his second season at the helm, Campbell is looking for his team to improve on their 3-13-1 record from a year ago. They are counting on their latest draft picks, Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams, to be key contributors and would love to see quarterback, Jared Goff, become more effective. Goff is surrounded by some weapons that have shown glimpses of greatness, such as D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown, along with offseason addition, DJ Chark. Campbell and the front office have made many roster changes, looking for players that fit what they’re trying to achieve. I found this quote from Campbell compelling as he describes the types of guys he wants to have: "We are trying to avoid floaters. We don’t want to draft floaters. Floaters are a guy who gets here and just kind of, there he goes, he’s just in the open ocean. We want guys that are highly competitive and they love ball. They’re not going to be perfect. They might not always say the right things. They mean well, but they love ball. They’ll do anything for it and do anything for their teammates. In that regard, I’m elated with the guys that we have and the vision." There seems to be a clear difference between NFL players who just go through the motions and do the bare minimum, versus the players who love the game, are willing to make sacrifices, love competing and winning, and get on board with what their head coach asks them to do. They don’t find practices or workouts burdensome because they love football and know that being an effective NFL player requires a high level of commitment. In life, it’s also true that there's a difference between someone who truly loves God, obeys His commands, makes sacrifices, and is willing to do anything for Him versus a “floater” who drifts through life, goes through the motions, and likes the idea of being a Christian, but isn't wholeheartedly devoted. 1 John 5:3 (NLT) tells us, “Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.” Hebrews 2:1 (NLT) warns us, “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” James 1:22 (NLT) gives us this challenge: “But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” 1 John 2:4-6 (ESV) explains, “Whoever says 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” It’s not about being perfect, but it’s about loving God and remaining committed to Him. Campbell’s words about football players can be similarly true for us as followers of Jesus if we replace the word “ball”: “They’re not going to be perfect. They might not always say the right things. They mean well, but they love ball . They’ll do anything for it and do anything for their teammates.” Today, let’s choose not to be “floaters” who drift from God or just go through the motions doing “Christian things” on the surface without our hearts being into it. Instead, let’s be genuinely passionate about our God who first loved us, and love Him the way Jesus tells us to in Matthew 22:37 (ESV): “...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” When we do, we won’t find “practice” or the “workouts” burdensome because our love for Him and our “Holy competitiveness” through His Spirit will drive us to be effective, obedient, and joyful followers of Jesus who experience eternal victories. I’m Bryce Johnson and You can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I drift and float through life. I pray You’d renew my love for You, and that I’d love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. I love You and desire to do anything You ask me to do. Please strengthen me and guide me to obey Your commands. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What have you learned during seasons where you were just going through the Christian motions and floating through life?
Why are love and obedience so tightly connected?
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