Comebacks and Returning

The NFL Sunday slate provided another wild day of football with a common theme of comebacks after being down and teams returning to playing how they’re capable.

Also, some players have returned to the lineup after being out, while other teams are still waiting for key stars to return from injury.

Let’s start with the comebacks…

The most anticipated game of the day nationally was the Chiefs-Colts matchup. The Chiefs were facing a must-win game after struggling in close games, and their playoff hopes were dwindling, while the Colts were wanting to prove they’re a legit contender this year.

The Colts controlled the game early and led 20-9 with 9 minutes left. It took overtime, but the Chiefs completed the comeback, scoring on three of their last four drives to win 23-20.

The big game in the NFC saw the Cowboys get down 21-0 right away against their rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, but Dak Prescott and George Pickens’ chemistry returned, which led to a dramatic 24-21 comeback win.

The Detroit Lions haven’t been at their best in recent weeks and found themselves down 27-17 against the New York Giants. Thanks to Jahmyr Gibbs running all over the Giants and Jameis Winston throwing a costly interception, the Lions came back to tie the game and send it to overtime. Gibbs was electric again, scoring a 69-yard touchdown, which gave them the lead and the eventual win.

In Baltimore, the Ravens were losing 7-3 at halftime against the lowly Jets, but came back to win 23-10. The Ravens had a tough start to the season, but with Lamar Jackson’s return after injury, they have returned to their winning ways, having won five straight.

The Jaguars found themselves down 14-0 against the Arizona Cardinals, but overcame the deficit and the turnovers to come back and win 27-24 in overtime.

Meanwhile, the Bengals lost again and need their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, to return from injury, as well as Ja’Marr Chase from his suspension.

On Sunday, Kirk Cousins returned to a starting role as he led the Falcons to a win over the Saints.

The Chicago Bears have returned to the top of the NFC North standings, winning four straight as they continue to show us what they're capable of becoming.

As fans, we love seeing comebacks, star players returning to the lineup, and teams returning to playing how they’re capable of. Likewise, coming back and returning can be critical in our own lives. We sometimes go on a “losing” streak, experience turnovers, and get off track.

Sometimes we allow sin and disobedience to cause us to turn our back on God and walk away from His path and pursue our own desires. When this happens, we need a “comeback” and must return to Him. 

Lamentations 3:40 (AMP) says: “Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord.”

When we get “injured” or become inconsistent, busy, distracted, or “find ourselves down,” we must return to church, fellowship, worship, prayer, and obedience so that our gratitude, joy, peace, and love for God will return as well. 

The Old Testament is filled with God’s people being called to repent and return to Him. A conversation between the prophet Jeremiah and God is found in Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT). It says, “This is how the Lord responds: ‘If you return to Me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve Me…’”

Hosea 12:6 (AMP) declares, “Therefore, return [in repentance] to your God, observe and highly regard kindness and justice, and wait [expectantly] for your God continually.”

The people of Israel are told in 2 Chronicles 30:9 (NIV), “If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.”

Today, in whatever ways we need to return to God and come back to following His path, let's do it. He welcomes us with open arms. Let's get our eyes back on Jesus and continue to walk closely with Him, not turning our backs on Him, and remembering what He’s done for us:

“'He Himself bore our sins' in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; 'by His wounds, you have been healed.' For 'you were like sheep going astray,' but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25; NIV).

Let’s remain “on the field” with our Shepherd, and if we've gone astray, let's embrace His grace and compassion and return to the One who enables us and shows us how to become all we're capable of being, in Him.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've gone astray. Thank you for always welcoming me back with grace and compassion. Please help me examine my ways so I can repent, and thank you for restoring me and allowing me to return to You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.