With the program in its second consecutive disappointing regular season campaign, North Carolina announced Tuesday that head football coach Mack Brown will not return to coach the Tar Heels in 2025.
Although speculation about Brown's dismissal has been swirling for weeks, the timing of the university's announcement was interesting.
At his weekly press conference on Monday, Brown reiterated that he planned on returning to coach North Carolina next fall. He was very open in acknowledging that he still desired to lead the program and appeared willing to do what he could to make things work.
Ultimately, however, the school did not reciprocate that desire. Despite Brown communicating that he wanted to remain in partnership with the university, North Carolina's athletic department decided to move in a different direction.
As followers of Jesus, each of us has experienced occasions where another person did not reciprocate our interest.
Many of us have probably experienced a fracture in a particular relationship that we were hoping to mend. In these moments, we desire reconciliation and restoration of the relationship so we can continue to enjoy life with someone we value.
Due to the fragile nature of relationships, it can be all the more difficult when the other person doesn't want what we want.
It can be hard to swallow when we try to take ownership and seek forgiveness for sins we have committed against a person, yet they do not extend forgiveness and reconciliation to us.
The same is true when we offer reconciliation to someone, and they do not receive it. No matter how often we have experienced such a scenario, the pain is always real and incredibly intense.
The Bible acknowledges that reconciliation with other people will not always be possible. We live in a fallen world tainted by sin, which means we don't have complete control over how people respond to our efforts to make peace with them. However, that doesn't mean we don't try.
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) encourages us to "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy…"
In 2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV), Paul says, "Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you."
For Christians, reconciliation is something that we should treasure immensely. After all, our salvation is rooted in Christ Jesus sacrificing Himself to reconcile us with God and make us a new creation. What good news!
2 Corinthians 5:18 (NLT) tells us, "And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him."
Because we have received the most extraordinary reconciliation, we should seek peace and restoration with others whenever something has caused tension in the relationship.
While we won't be able to control how the person responds to our attempts, we can and should do everything in our power to bring about peace.
Romans 12:18 (NKJV) says, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."
As we prepare to enter the heart of the holiday season, let's consider whether we have damaged relationships that need mending.
Reconciliation and peace may not always be possible, but we must do all we can to make it as easy as possible.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for my reconciliation in Christ. Please help me be a person who brings peace and reconciliation whenever possible. I pray that fixing strained relationships in my life brings You glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Comments