At this point, it’s well documented that Clemson’s program is a powerhouse, and their rise to the top of college football has been incredible.

Clemson has made the college football playoff every year since 2016, winning the National Championship twice. Again heading into the upcoming season (hopefully) as one of the favorites, they are loaded with talented players returning from last year’s team, including star quarterback, Trevor Lawerence.

Head Coach, Dabo Swinney, deserves plenty of credit for what his teams have been able to accomplish year after year since he took over. ESPN’s, Tom Rinaldi, once asked Dabo how he’s learned to stay successful with such consistency and this was part of his response:

“You got to start over every year.”

Dabo explained how each season they tear it down, start over, and put the work in. They don’t want to take anything for granted.

He also talked about how they don’t get to carry anything over, including sacks and touchdowns because it’s a new season. “It’s just paying the price all over again year in and year out and having fun doing it,” Dabo explained.

That philosophy makes a lot of sense when considering that every season has new challenges and opponents trying to take them down. Even if Clemson won against a team before, they have to beat them all over again the next season.

Of course, Clemson builds on their previous success and their program is strengthened over the years with each season adding to their overall growth, but at the same time, they start over year after year.

There is a spiritual parallel that we can identify with as followers of Jesus. He says in Luke 9:23 (ESV), “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

Following Jesus means that every day we start over and die to ourselves and our selfish desires. Each day presents new challenges and different opponents and even the ones we defeated the day before may have to be battled again the next day, with God’s strength.

This doesn’t mean our faith starts over, however. Our salvation is secure when we place our faith in Jesus, and hopefully, we are growing and building on past experiences…and allowing our previous victories to help strengthen us for today.

Starting over each morning by denying ourselves and our selfish desires, and taking up our cross every day, is similar to what Dabo said: “It’s just paying the price all over again year in and year out.”

Jesus puts it this way in Mark 8:35 (ESV): “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it.”

Every day as we follow Jesus, we start fresh and die to ourselves all over again. Ultimately, we experience “successful consistency” when we follow Him day after day…year after year.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I submit to You and desire to yield to Your Spirit today as I die to myself. I pray that I would follow Jesus, no matter the cost. Please help me to deny my selfish ways each day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.