Indiana and a "Paradigm Shift"

It’s still hard to wrap our minds around the reality that Indiana University is the National Champion in college football. As is well-documented, their story is absolutely unbelievable and remarkable, and Monday night’s game was a fantastic end to this memorable turnaround. 

Historically, most fans thought of Indiana as a basketball school with a football team that got dominated in the Big Ten every year. Just two years ago, nobody was thinking about Indiana as a championship contender, except maybe their new head coach, Curt Cignetti.

When he took over the team, he was the next coach in a long line of coaches trying to turn them into winners. But for that to happen, what he really had to do was change how everyone thought about Indiana football.

He had to get the administration to rethink their approach to the football program, get boosters to change their minds about supporting it, and ultimately convince his players to think that they could do the impossible.

Indiana Linebacker Aiden Fisher shared this after the championship game:

“... from a program that is known for losing and a culture that was in a bad spot when Coach Cig got here, it was all about changing the way people think, and that's internal and external from the building.”

Not only did the change in thinking contribute to their championship season, but it's also having a ripple effect across college football. Other previously unsuccessful programs now think they can replicate what Indiana has done, which gives them hope.

In addition, with the rapid changes in college football, we, as fans, realize we can’t think the same way about schools, conferences, or even coaches. Everyone is having to think about college football in a whole new way.

During the postgame press conference, Coach Cignetti put it like this:

“The other thing I'd like to add, I think, to the question the players just answered about Indiana, I think that's called a paradigm shift. It's kind of like people can cling to an old way of thinking, categorizing teams as this or that or conferences as this or that, or they can adjust to the new world, the shift of the power balance in the way college football is today.”

It’s true: some of us fans have held on to the same thoughts, views, and perspectives we’ve always had, but Indiana's championship win, along with other changes in the sport, has prompted everyone to reevaluate and consider shifting their thinking.

As followers of Jesus, a “paradigm shift” and ongoing change in our thinking are part of the process of becoming more like Him and living the new life we’ve been called into. 

Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) tells us, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

We change our minds about things we used to value and rethink what is possible because Christ has taken over our lives. We now think differently about what truly matters and what we are capable of with the power of the Holy Spirit, and our perspective on sin changes, too.

At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, we read in Matthew 4:17 (AMP), “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Indiana didn’t remain in its past failures or keep repeating them; it overcame them while no longer thinking they had to keep losing. We have a similar opportunity to no longer “cling to an old way of thinking” as we move forward in grace and in reliance on God’s redeeming and transforming power. The way we think deeply affects us, so we must allow God to renew our minds.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Today, let’s think thoughts rooted in Scripture and in the goodness of God, trusting Him to help us think rightly and keep our thoughts aligned with Him. Let’s think about the amazing possibilities in front of us because of the victory we already have in Jesus.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please continue to help me change my thinking. I want to think in a way that honors You and is eternally minded. Please renew my mind and remove the negative thoughts that are holding me back. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.