"I Want To Win So Badly"

An intriguing team to keep an eye on this upcoming NFL season is the Las Vegas Raiders. They hired a Super Bowl-winning coach, Pete Carroll, and Tom Brady is a part-owner. They drafted an elite running back, Ashton Jeanty, with the 6th pick, and traded for veteran quarterback Geno Smith.

The new additions join defensive anchor Maxx Crosby, who has consistently been one of the league’s best edge rushers during his six seasons with the Raiders. He doesn’t want only to put up personal stats, but he’s hungry to win, especially considering his only postseason appearance was in 2021.

He recently shared his perspective on winning heading into the new season by saying, “Anytime you go out there, you want to be in a position to win. Individual success and things like that are awesome, but it’s not why you play the game. You play to win. We just saw it in the NBA: OKC, just a couple of years ago, was one of the worst teams in the league. But they had a lot of young guys, they trusted the process, they developed, and now they’re the world champions.”

He also said, “We’re trying to win. I want to win so badly. I put everything into it. I want everybody else to think like that. And that’s been my goal, just bringing as many guys along as I possibly can.”

Sure, every team and player wants to win, but are they as passionate about winning and willing to “put everything into it” like Crosby is?

For his sake, hopefully, the new staff and current players will join him in having a winning mentality during every practice, film session, and team activity as they develop a winning culture, with less concern about individual stats and personal accomplishments. Can they make it all about winning and be like Crosby, who “wants to win so badly”?

In unpacking this mentality today, what is our life all about? Is it about temporary winning or lasting victory? Is it about selfish gain and individual accomplishments or a bigger purpose? In what ways do we want to “win so badly?” What are we putting “everything into”?

As followers of Jesus, we must be aware that everything we do should be about Him, for Him, with Him, as His representative, and ultimately to bring Him glory. We put “everything into” serving and honoring Him in all we do. We take this approach when taking out the trash without complaining and when we pursue excellence at work.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV), "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

He also gives us this challenge in Colossians 3:17 (AMP): "Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Each day when we work, raise a family, build a marriage, and serve others, we can concentrate on, be motivated by, and view our efforts through the lens of glorifying and honoring God.

It’s about giving Him the credit when He empowers us and His greatness shines through, drawing others to Him. (Like Crosby, we are “just bringing as many guys along as I possibly can.”)

That’s real winning!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (AMP) provides this great reminder: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?

"You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.”

Just like NFL teams want to “be in a position to win” and “play to win” and make everything about winning, today let’s realize that we “win” when our relationship with Jesus and God’s glory are what we “want so badly” and we “put everything into it.”

Let’s stop worrying about our “personal stats” and instead “be in a position to win” with humility, passion, and a surrendered heart, as our focus remains on Him and the victory we have in Christ.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that my motivation and focus in life would be about honoring and glorifying You. I desire to make my whole life about You because You are worthy. Please show me how to do everything with that in mind. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.