I Don't Understand

Every week, the NFL leaves us in awe as we watch impressive performances from amazing athletes. At the same time, we are in awe of the surprises and unpredictability that unfold, leaving us grasping for answers. 

Here are some of our regular questions and responses after a wild week in the NFL:

"I don't understand how that happened."

"I can't comprehend how that's possible."

"How in the world did that team win? I don't get it."

"How did that team lose to that bad team after beating that other great team last week?"

"I can't wrap my mind around how that team came back to win, or how that team allowed their opponent to pull the upset."

"It doesn't make sense that this team made that coaching decision."

Let's apply these responses and questions to the results of Week 10:

”I don't understand how the Bills lost to the Dolphins 30-13 after beating the Chiefs the week before, and while the Dolphins are in the middle of a disastrous season.”

”I can't comprehend how the Panthers beat one of the best teams in the NFC last week— the Packers—and then followed it up with an embarrassing loss to one of the worst teams in the NFC—the Saints.”

”How in the world do the Jets win any game (even against the lowly Browns) after trading away their top defenders and losing their best receiver to an injury?”

”I can't wrap my mind around how the Texans came back to win with a backup QB and how the Jaguars were outscored 26-0 in the 4th quarter.”

”It doesn't make sense that the Titans fired Mike Vrabel and allowed the Patriots to bring him in as their head coach and take New England back to the top of the league again.”

Every week, we see results that make no sense, situations we can't comprehend, and scores we don't understand.

As fans, this leads us to keep coming back and loving the sport even more, with our hands in the air, shaking our heads, admitting, "I don't get it," "I can't figure the NFL out," "I don't know how to explain it."

We know that, in life, we find ourselves with similar responses and questions about situations we don't understand, surprising results we can't comprehend, decisions that don't make sense, and circumstances we can't wrap our minds around.

As followers of Jesus, we do know and understand that God loves us, has saved us, and is with us. God has revealed much truth and much about His character. But so much of what God is doing in our lives or the depths of who He is, we can't fully comprehend.

We don't often know the whys or the hows. We try to figure everything out and get every answer, but the reality is we can't on this side of eternity.

As the author (King Solomon/The Preacher) admits in Ecclesiastes 8:17 (NLT), "I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim."

There is so much we don't grasp and can't explain. Yes, we want to continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of who God is as we seek Him, and He does allow us to know more and more.

Still, we must also be willing to throw our hands up in the air, shaking our heads with humility and in surrender, admitting, "I don't get it, “I can't figure it out," "I don't know how to explain it, but that’s ok, I trust You and what You’re doing.”

Job 37:5 (NIV) says, "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding."

Isaiah 40:13 (NIV) asks, "Who can fathom the Spirit [or mind] of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?"

Just like in football, not having everything figured out doesn't have to discourage or frustrate us. Instead, it can cause us to love God even more. 

It's actually a good thing that we can't comprehend just how big, mighty, powerful, and wonderful He is, because it leads us to awe and worship. He’s so vast and infinite, which makes Him worthy to be praised and served.

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

Psalm 147:5 (AMP) adds, "Great is our [majestic and mighty] Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is inexhaustible [infinite, boundless]."

We tune in to the NFL each week to see the greatness of the sport, but we’re also drawn to it because it doesn't always go as we expect and goes beyond what we thought possible.

Likewise, we are drawn to God because of His greatness, but also because life doesn't always go as we think it should—and again, that’s a good thing, because His ways are better than ours and go beyond what we thought possible.

As we read in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT), “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the Lord. 'And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.’”

Romans 11:33 (NLT) declares, "Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!"

Today, as we reflect on how outcomes in the NFL don't always make sense and how hard it is to understand so much of what takes place throughout the season, let it be a reminder to us.

Although life doesn't always make sense and we can't understand much of what God is doing, how He does it, or why He does it, we can rest assured that His ways are best and His character is perfect!

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm in awe of Your greatness and Your power, and although I don't have everything figured out, I do know You are worthy to be trusted. I know there is so much I can't comprehend about who You are and what You're doing, but I humbly submit to You. Thank you for all You are doing, have done, and will do in my life for Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.