Target On Our Back

The 2025 football season is quickly approaching, and of course, we wonder which teams will be the best this year and who will ultimately win the Super Bowl and the College Football National Championship.

While all teams hope for a successful season, a few in particular head into the season with championship aspirations, high expectations, and all eyes on them.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been a perennial Super Bowl contender and continue to set the standard that other teams strive to match.

The Washington Commanders burst onto the scene last year, making it to the NFC Championship game, and now have people counting on them to make it to the Super Bowl.

Of course, the Eagles are the reigning champs and return the core of their team, with most expecting them to continue their winning ways.

None of these teams will sneak up on anybody, as they will get every opponent's best each week. In other words, these teams have a target on their back heading into a new season.

Former Eagles center turned analyst Jason Kelce said this about Philadelphia: "Everybody is looking at your film to try and replicate what you guys had success with...All the brightest minds are going to be trying to figure things out that you guys did well."

Teams across the NFL are trying to stop the Chiefs, Eagles, and Commanders from continuing their success and want to take them down.

The Chiefs are used to being the hunted, and everyone knows the greatness they represent as the Super Bowl winner in three out of the last six years, and opposing teams understand what they’re capable of.

In college football, Ohio State is the reigning champion, while Texas starts the season as the number one team in the country, led by high-profile quarterback Arch Manning.

They play each other in Week 1, which will put both teams in the spotlight right away. We know their remaining opponents will want to take down both teams and will circle their matchup with them on the schedule.

These top teams are on everybody’s radar, so they can't let their guard down, take any matchup lightly, overlook any opponent, or think this season will be easy. Everyone is coming to get them and watching them to see how they handle having a target on their backs.

As followers of Jesus, we find ourselves in a similar situation because we also have opponents chasing after us and an enemy trying to take us down.

2 Timothy 3:12 (AMP) tells us, "Indeed, all who delight in pursuing righteousness and are determined to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be hunted and persecuted [because of their faith]."

In John 10:10 (Part 1; ESV), Jesus tells us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…"

When we walk in the light and choose Holy, victorious lives committed to representing God's greatness, we'll have a target on our backs, be hunted, and experience attacks. Our opponent knows what we're capable of with God's power and is out to get us while attempting to shut us down.

It isn't easy to experience the battles we face against the devil. That's why we can't let our guard down, take evil lightly, or overlook the opposition we face.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (AMP) encourages us to "Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]"

Even though, as followers of Jesus, we live this life with a "target on our back" and challenges and temptations all around us, we can persevere when we look to God for strength. We don't have to let the enemy bring us down.

Thankfully, 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) reminds us, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

We are the hunted and in the spotlight. While people watch us to see how we'll handle being followers of Jesus in today's world, let's be encouraged that He's the One who makes us victorious over sin and death.

Today and every day, let's walk in victory and make sure we put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the schemes of the devil!

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge a target on my back because of my commitment to You, but I trust in Your strength and faithfulness to help me endure the attacks from the enemy. Please help me stand firm in my faith and stand against the devil's schemes. I praise You for the victorious life I have in Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.