UNPACK this...Life Lessons From the Super BowlSample

What Is Your Super Bowl?  

At the start of each NFL season, most teams have their sights set on winning the Super Bowl. Coaches motivate their players to work hard, so they can accomplish the major feat of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. 

Players are judged differently after they win a ring, and there’s an immense value placed on championships. Plenty of players preparing to step on the field Super Bowl Sunday have yet to experience the excitement of winning on the largest stage. These guys have been dreaming about this moment since playing Pop Warner as kids.  

The sports world, and even society, have elevated the Super Bowl to unbelievable heights. The desire to win this one game is so important that it’s become an idol for those involved and worshipped in a way that requires a full commitment from those in pursuit. 

As followers of Jesus, we can also get wrapped up in our desire for “shiny objects.” If we aren’t careful, we can fall into the trap of idolizing anything from a brand new car to a bigger home to the perfect dream job. Just like the Super Bowl, these things aren’t necessarily bad, but when we’re chasing satisfaction in something else, they replace God as our greatest love and devotion. 

If we’re consumed by acquiring that “one thing,” or excessively driven to making something happen in our lives, we can end up devaluing our relationship with God. Our own “Super Bowl win” becomes the ultimate prize, while our worship and commitment to God get pushed aside. 

The Bible addresses this in 1 Corinthians 10:14. We can love God, follow Jesus, and still “win Super Bowls,” but we must constantly check our hearts to determine our motivation and what we consider most important. 

When we’re satisfied in Christ and pursuing His will, we may get the “Super Bowl ring” along the journey. However, if we don’t, we’ll be okay because as Mark 8:36 puts it,  “…what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul?”  

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess there are times I want something so badly that it consumes my thoughts and efforts. Help me not to love anything more than You or allow anything to become more important than a full commitment to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.