No Longer That Team

This year's college football season has been absolutely wild, confirming that we are in a new era of the sport, where so many things are different. We understand that the NIL and transfer portal have changed the landscape, and one result has been new teams making their way toward the top of the rankings.

Sure, Ohio State and Alabama are still up there, but now we have Indiana, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, and Virginia making noise and finding success. The turnarounds for these programs are remarkable, and what they're accomplishing this season is incredible. They've had coaches take over and change the program's culture and direction.

Indiana is undefeated, ranked No. 2 in the AP poll—the highest ranking in program history—and has scored at least 30 points in six of its eight games. Ever since Curt Cignetti took over Indiana as head coach, he's totally transformed the program from the inside out.

Indiana is no longer just a basketball school that gets dominated in football. They are no longer irrelevant in the Big Ten; they are now positioning themselves to go after a Big Ten Championship and maybe a National Championship.

Vanderbilt is 7-1 and started 5-0 for the first time since 2008. They have wins over Missouri, LSU, and South Carolina. They also hosted College GameDay for the first time since 2008. 

Vanderbilt is no longer the team other SEC teams view as a "bye week," and they are no longer an underdog but a top-10 team in the country. For the first time since 1947, they rank in the top 10 of the AP poll. 

Meanwhile, Texas Tech continues to light up the scoreboard on its way to a 7-1 record and scoring at least 34 points in each of its wins. They will have a shot at the Big 12 title and are currently ranked 13th in the country.

Texas Tech is no longer the forgotten football team in Texas. They are no longer a team "wandering the wilderness," as ESPN.com writer David Hale put it. 

Virginia finds itself relevant in the ACC with a 7-1 overall record while pulling out three wins in overtime. They are ranked 15th in the country, their highest ranking since 2004.

Virginia is no longer a losing team or at the bottom of the ACC standings, as it has been. According to ESPN.com, "Before this season, Virginia was 56-75 in the playoff era, the worst record in the ACC in that span."

How about Georgia Tech? They are 8th in the country and 8-0 on the season, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Haynes King. He's completed 73% of his passes, has thrown seven touchdowns, and rushed for 12 touchdowns and 651 yards. Their 8-0 start turns out to be their best start since 1966.

Georgia Tech is no longer just an average team in the ACC, in the shadow of Georgia. They are no longer the team meandering along with inconsistency.

As we consider how Indiana, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Virginia, and Georgia Tech are different programs these days and how they are "no longer" who they used to be, let's unpack the ways we as followers of Jesus are "no longer" who we used to be and no longer do the things we previously did. 

When we are in Christ, we experience a "turnaround" as He takes over our "program" and changes our "culture" and the "direction" of our lives." We are no longer in charge, and He transforms us from the inside out as we trust Him. 

As Paul puts it in Galatians 2:20 (AMP), "I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

When we are in Christ, our behaviors and desires change, and the things that used to hold us back no longer have to drag us down to the "bottom of the standings."

Romans 6:6-7 (NLT) says, "We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin."

As followers of Jesus, it's no longer about ourselves and selfishness; instead, we live for Him and His purposes.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV), "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised."

Thankfully, we no longer "wander the wilderness" with a meaningless life and no hope, or walk in darkness, but now we are in the light.

John 8:12 (NLT) tells us, "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Today, as we celebrate and marvel at the seasons these programs are having compared to what they've done in the past, let's worship God and praise Him for changing our hearts and minds and giving us a new life in Christ. We are no longer the person we were before Jesus took over "our program."

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die for me, rescue me, save me, and transform me. In Him I place my hope and my trust. I'm thankful I'm no longer the person I used to be. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.