Over the years, the Pittsburgh Steelers are always one of the most competitive teams in the league and regularly have some of the top players on their roster.
Their offense has previously boasted having what many considered the top running back in Le'Veon Bell and arguably the best wide receiver in Antonio Brown.
Teams dream of having that type of talent on one team, but unfortunately, the relationship between those players and the franchise were strained and they are now going in different directions.
The Steelers are trading Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders for a couple of draft picks and it appears Bell is heading somewhere else in free agency.
We don’t fully understand all of the details as to why these two stars and the Steelers grew apart, but we know for both sides it had a lot to do with money, selfishness, pride, and the allure of starting over.
As fans, we want to see our team's best players work things out with the management instead of ending relationships like Pittsburgh is doing. This situation is proving to be another disappointing example of two sides being unable to reconcile.
Instead of making compromises, agreeing on changes, and ultimately coming to an understanding, the end result is breaking up.
When we think about how this relates to our own lives, there are circumstances that require people to end business agreements and move on from personal relationships. After all, we live in a broken world with human emotions and pride.
However, when we look to the Bible and fully understand what Jesus did for us, our desired outcome as followers of Jesus should be reconciliation.
When we face a fracture in our marriage or a disagreement with a family member or a strained friendship, our goal should be to reconcile instead of believing there is no way to fix the broken relationship.
Of course, both sides must make compromises, agree on changes, and ultimately come to an understanding, but we must do our part to pursue reconciliation.
Although reconciling with someone is hard to do, we don't have to do it in our own strength. By fully surrendering to Jesus, He repairs marriages, changes hearts, and mends relationships. It's up to us to choose humility and submit to Him.
The truth is, the ultimate reconciliation took place as a result of the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (ESV) tells us, "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Since we can be reconciled to a perfect and Holy God, despite our depravity, brokenness, and sinfulness, let’s allow this truth to help us live a life of reconciliation.
Today, let’s help others be reconciled to God and trust Him to restore our fractured relationships through His power and for His glory.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please fill me with hope today that You can reconcile the broken relationships in my life. I don't want to give up and I trust You to do a miraculous work in their heart and mine. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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