The NFL playoff matchups are set, but before we move on, I want to reflect on the weekend’s games and the playoff implications on the line. Some teams had control of their playoff chances or seeding and all they had to do was take care of business and win their game. The Jaguars, Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, Bengals, and Bills did what they needed to do. At the same time, several teams not only needed to win their game, but they needed other teams to win or lose to determine their postseason. That meant there were multiple scenarios across the league being monitored. Not only were countless teams concerned about their own game, but keeping an eye on what was happening at other stadiums. The Miami Dolphins were focused on beating the Jets, but they also were scoreboard-watching to see if the Patriots were winning or losing. Meanwhile, as the Steelers were taking care of the Browns, they were wondering if the Dolphins and Patriots were winning or losing. The Patriots needed to beat the Bills to get into the playoffs, but as they started losing, their attention shifted to see if the Steelers and Dolphins were losing. The Cowboys probably found themselves peaking at the scoreboard to see if the Eagles were winning because the Cowboys went into the day with a possibility of winning the NFC East or even earning the number 1 seed. However, they didn’t handle their own responsibilities by beating Washington, so it didn’t matter…plus the Eagles and 49ers won anyway. The Chargers were monitoring the result of the Ravens and Bengals game because that outcome would then determine their decision to rest their players or not later in the day. Lastly, the Seahawks' win against the Rams meant the Lions were eliminated and the Packers needed to beat the Lions on Sunday Night Football to get in, but if they lost, the Seahawks would get in. After seeing what the Seahawks did, the Lions could have given up, but amazingly they didn’t let the Seahawks' win prevent them from remaining concentrated on beating the Packers, which is exactly what they did. Week 18 was all about scoreboard-watching as teams tried to win while also wanting to know what was going on everywhere else. It makes sense that players would take a peak at the scoreboard and ask if a certain team was winning or not. However, it was more important that players remained locked in on their own game and responsibilities. If they weren’t careful, it would be easy to get distracted or discouraged by how other teams were playing or they could let someone else’s game dictate how they handled the game right in front of them. As exciting as scoreboard-watching was for us as fans yesterday, I’m afraid this type of behavior can negatively affect us when paralleled to life. Let’s face it, we are prone to keep an eye on what everyone else around us is doing. We take a peak at the “scoreboard” and we wonder, are they winning? Are they having success? How much more money do they have? Of course, we can be motivated and inspired by others, but often we are so concerned with others' wins and losses that it takes us off track. We don’t need to focus on what everyone else is up to, but rather concentrate on what Jesus is asking us to do and be good stewards of what He’s entrusted us with. If we aren’t careful, we can make decisions based on what others are doing or get discouraged when we find out someone else’s results. If we are so consumed with worrying about and monitoring what others are doing and how we compare, we can easily take our eyes off our calling, our God-given gifts, and the “game” right in front of us. We lose sight of our responsibilities or we give up and stop trying as hard because we think it doesn’t matter when compared to someone else’s wins. But what if we stopped keeping tabs on everyone and comparing ourselves and no longer worried about everyone else’s work, accomplishments, and wins? Couldn't we instead remain locked into “taking care of business in our own stadium”? Galatians 6:4-5 (AMP) challenges us by putting it this way: “But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work , and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. For every person will have to bear his own burden ." Verse 4 in the New Living Translation says, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” Today, let’s not allow comparison and worrying about everyone elses’ outcomes to rob our joy and contentment and cause us to be distracted and discouraged. Instead of scoreboard-watching, let’s work hard for the Lord as we rely on Him and remain diligent in what He asks us to do. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I’m prone to keep tabs on other people and compare myself to them. It can cause negativity and distress. I pray, Lord, that You would help me examine my own work and make sure it’s aligned with You and what You’re calling me to do. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What areas of your life do you find yourself comparing and keeping tabs on others? 2. What does it look like for you to examine and scrutinize your own work?
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