The San Francisco 49ers are on their way to the Super Bowl thanks to their dominant defense and successful rushing attack. Throughout the season, the team has proven they are effective in running the ball - regardless of who is in the backfield.
This was true on Sunday when they beat the Packers with 42 running plays and only eight passing plays. The 49ers have utilized multiple running backs this season, but the star on Sunday was former fourth-stringer Raheem Mostert.
Leaning heavily on him after Tevin Coleman went out with an injury, Mostert stepped up all day long while finding open rushing lanes on his way to scoring four touchdowns and accumulating 220 yards on the ground.
He rushed for the greatest number of yards in a 49ers' postseason game and his four touchdowns were not only the most in an NFC championship game but the second most in playoff history.
Mostert is an easy guy to root for when you hear about his story of perseverance. He was on six different NFL teams during his first two seasons as he was released and re-signed before ultimately signing with San Francisco.
After bouncing around the league, he finally landed on a team that found a role for him. He’s been a special teams ace and a sparingly used running back waiting for opportunities to show off his rushing ability.
This year, he experienced a breakthrough with 772 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns during the regular season, then had his breakout game on Sunday with a historic performance.
Offensive lineman, Joe Staley, recently shared his thoughts on Mostert's character: “He’s always been a special-teams ace. He never complained about his carries. The guy works harder than anybody. He’s been patient, never complaining about his role. This is what happens when you accept your role on the team and you don’t worry about stats. You have a moment like this.”
My big takeaway from Staley's comments and Mostert's journey is that he embraced his role without complaining and when he received an opportunity for an increased role, he made the most of it.
Many of us today find ourselves in a role that is different than the one we want. In our career, we may desire to be the "starter" or the boss or maybe work in another department or field.
Some of us wish we had the role of being a parent or a spouse, but it doesn’t seem to be happening. As we wait and hope for an opportunity to step into the increased role, we have the choice to either complain about it or embrace our current role.
As we think about Mostert working hard as a special teams guy, and not complaining while preparing to become a contributing running back, let’s be encouraged to take a similar approach.
Our present role might be to work hard as a spouse, or even an uncle, as we wait to become a parent. Our role as a single person may be to serve our married friends as we prepare to find our own spouse.
We can easily complain about our current status, but just like a football player’s opportunities can change in an instant, so can ours. As we wait let’s remain hopeful, steady, upbeat, and positive.
We can use this simple verse in Philippians 2:14 (TLB) as our challenge: ”In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing…”
The amplified verse says: ”Do everything without murmuring or questioning ...”
When complaining, we reveal a lack of trust and satisfaction in God. We can begin to think He's not working or forget there is a purpose in the delay.
Today, let's be encouraged that if our desires remain rooted in Him and our hearts are aligned with His will, our current role can be used to serve Him and to prepare us for our breakthrough to the next role.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I complain about my current role and status in life. I pray I'd embrace where I am and what I'm doing right now - even as I desire a change. Please help me to be more trusting, thankful, and satisfied in You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What do you find yourself complaining about the most?
What current role in your life are you hoping for a change?
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