All-in CommitmentSample

My Favorite Teams Played at the Same Time

Back in 2021, two of my favorite teams were playing on National TV at the same time. My hometown Carolina Panthers took on the Houston Texans, while my alma mater Appalachian State was matched up against Marshall.

Although I wanted to experience both games, my sports fandom was definitely put to the test. It was impossible to be all-in on both games at the same time!

As a loyal App State and Panthers fan, I was feeling the tension of both games grabbing my attention. The two games were pulling me back and forth, and, the truth is, my mind couldn’t process them both at once.

I believe this tension of going back and forth can parallel what we often experience in our faith journey. Two worlds fight for our attention, but we can’t be all-in with Jesus when we’re distracted and enticed by the world.

If we aren’t willing to turn off the “other game” because we still find the world intriguing, it prevents us from having a singular focus on God.

1 John 2:15-17 warns us, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

Every day, our commitment to Jesus is challenged and put to the test. Ultimately, however, we know there is only one way that leads to life. Whatever the world offers us is just temporary satisfaction.

Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above, not on things that are on the earth.”

As sports fans, we have multiple teams to follow. But as followers of Jesus, He’s the only One worthy of our full attention.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for everlasting life. I pray my eyes would stop drifting toward what the world has to offer and remain completely committed to You. Please help me keep my mind focused on the things above. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.