Two weeks into the NFL season and the question popping up about each team and player is, who are they going to be this year?
The Titans and Ravens both bounced back with tight and dramatic wins yesterday following tough week one losses. The key for both of them was a return to their true identity as a successful running team.
Titans' running back, Derrick Henry, rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns against Seattle while Ravens' QB, Lamar Jackson, led the way on the ground with 107 yards and two touchdowns to beat the Chiefs.
Both teams reminded everyone that they're at their best when they're running the ball.
Panthers' quarterback, Sam Darnold, is showing he's a different player than who he was in New York. He's embracing his new team and leaving his former identity behind as a “bust” and losing quarterback with the Jets. He’s now 2-0 for the first time in his career as he threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns to knock off the Saints.
Saints' quarterback, Jameis Winston, was unbelievable in week one as he threw five touchdowns and showed people he wasn’t the same Jameis who played in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, yesterday he reverted to his old ways by throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns.
Sometimes it’s hard for players or teams to shake a previous identity and believe and operate as who they are now. Other teams can forget who they are and lose sight of what they're capable of while a few teams are still deciding who they’re going to be.
In our own lives, we also wrestle with who we’re going to be or who we really are and can struggle to live out our true identity. For those of us who follow Jesus and have received Him as our Lord and Savior, we “... become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17; NLT).
We can now be assured that we are redeemed, forgiven, an heir with Christ, a friend of God. And as 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) adds, “...for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”
Romans 6:6 (NLT) says, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
Jesus has changed our identity and we don't have to be a “bust” or the person who “regularly throws multiple interceptions” anymore. Christ’s transforming grace allows us to operate as someone who is personally loved by the Creator of the universe who considers us His own.
Even when we have "bad games" and do throw "interceptions," that's not our identity. We remain who we are in Christ and move forward as repentant sinners saved by grace.
Of course, we have off days. But, we no longer have to live like the old person we used to be. The Holy Spirit now lives in us and we shouldn’t lose sight of what we're capable of through Him as we pursue God’s purposes.
If He has called us to “run the ball,” then that’s what we need to do because that’s how we’re going to be at our best.
Today, let’s not revert to our former ways or forget who God says we are. Instead, let’s confidently embrace our identity as a follower of Jesus and live out the truth that that’s who we are...and that’s who we’re going to continue to be.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me and changing my identity from sinner to saint. I’m thankful that You call me friend, child, and redeemed. I'm secure in Christ and confident that He lives in me. Please help me not to lose sight of who I am because of Your marvelous grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What former identities do you continue to try and shake?
Why is it so important to live our lives from a place of understanding that our identity is in Christ?
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