Exceeding Expectations

The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are heading to Super Bowl LX after their wins against the Rams and Broncos. It sets up an intriguing rematch of two teams that faced each other in a memorable Super Bowl 11 years ago, when the Patriots won in dramatic fashion.

On one hand, we shouldn't be surprised that these two franchises are back in the big game, but when we consider the predictions, opinions, perspectives, and thoughts from six months ago, did anyone expect the Patriots and Seahawks to compete for the Lombardi Trophy?Coming into the season, this is what was being said or asked:

• Can Sam Darnold really make the Seahawks better than what they were with Geno Smith?

  
  

• It's unlikely the Seahawks will be able to get through the NFC West and overcome the Rams and 49ers with Sam Darnold's limitations, especially in big games.

  
  

• Mike Macdonald is a good young coach, but even if the Seahawks compete for a playoff spot, becoming a Super Bowl contender doesn’t appear possible.

  
  

• The Patriots were 4-13 in 2024, so they might be more competitive with Mike Vrabel as head coach, but the AFC is just too tough. We shouldn't expect them to be better than the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, or Bengals because they all have the top quarterbacks.

  
  

• Drake Maye has some potential, but being elite in his second season, considering how young he is, is not anticipated.

  
  

• Mike Vrabel had some success as a head coach in Tennessee, but it's not as though he can take this Patriots team to the Super Bowl in his first year.

The bottom line is that the Patriots and Seahawks exceeded everyone's expectations and did things this season that most thought were incomprehensible.

The Patriots did way more in their first season with Vrabel than anyone could have imagined. Sam Darnold did abundantly more than anyone thought he could do in the playoffs, especially in the NFC Championship game, when he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. 

Drake Maye was the third quarterback drafted in 2024, and in the Patriots fans' wildest dreams, did they think he'd be this good this fast? He led the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt and is one of the top candidates for the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

Even for optimistic and faithful Seahawks and Patriots fans, these teams have gone beyond what they could have hoped for before the season began in September.

Both fan bases must be thrilled and appreciative to see their team's greatness take them further than they thought possible, and hopeful that the Super Bowl will exceed expectations as well.

In our own lives, we experience doubts, questions, concerns, and negativity. We view our circumstances and situations with very little hope and have low expectations.

Oftentimes, our thoughts are: I can't do this or that; things will never change; things can't get better; I don't see a way out; I'm not good enough; I'm too young; I'm too old; there is just no way.

We can also place those wrong “predictions and opinions” in the context of our perspective on God and what He's capable of doing. We don't think He's really that powerful or that good or that great. We have a limited view of His almighty and perfect character, and we don't expect Him to really show up and do what He says He will do. 

Of course, as followers of Jesus, we can also be optimistic, hopeful, and trusting. However, thankfully, even when our faith or hope is lacking, God is still capable of doing the impossible, moving in ways only He can, transforming lives, and exceeding all our expectations.

The One we turn to, surrender to, and pray to is able as it says in Ephesians 3:20 (AMP), "Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us."

I also love how the Message paraphrases Ephesians 3:20-21: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!"

We serve an omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent loving God who can exceed all of our expectations. He's better than we can ever comprehend. He can do more in our lives than we can dream of.

He can work through us in remarkable ways and help us overcome the odds. He can change us in ways we didn't think possible. He can bring good out of terrible situations. He will provide, equip, strengthen, and redeem. He's so much more powerful than we realize.

Let's declare Psalm 145:3 (AMP): "Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is [so vast and profound as to be] unsearchable [incomprehensible to man]."

With that said, let's also be reminded that our God raised Jesus from the dead, and His power is at work in those who believe, allowing us to experience and understand more and more of His greatness. 

Today, let's join Paul in this prayer: "...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the EXCEEDING GREATNESSS (emphasis mine) of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:17-21; NKJV).

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for continuing to blow me away by Your goodness and greatness in my life. Thank you for doing things in my life I didn't think possible, and things I wasn't expecting. You are so kind and powerful. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.