UNPACK this...Expectancy and Preparation

On Saturday night, the Men's Final Four took place in Indianapolis. In the first matchup, UConn handled Illinois 71-62, sending the Huskies to their third National Championship game in four years.

In the next game, we saw Michigan dominate Arizona throughout with its size, defense, and passing. Michigan has been a top team the entire season, and it's no surprise they will be playing tonight with a strong opportunity to cut down the nets.

There's no question that tonight's game features two marquee head coaches, Dan Hurley and Dusty May, who have done an amazing job with the programs they've led in recent years.

Dusty May is in his second season at Michigan after a successful tenure at Florida Atlantic, where he went to the Final Four in 2023.

On Saturday night, Coach May did something unique that created a stir and some heated discussion. Instead of watching the UConn-Illinois game from the locker room like most coaches do, he wanted to see it live and sat in press row to scout the teams, specifically UConn. Michigan had already played Illinois during the season, but he wasn't as familiar with UConn and wanted a fresh perspective. 

Some criticized May for not remaining focused on his team's game against Arizona later that night, with concern that he was overlooking the opponent. Some would also say that it was arrogant of him to start thinking ahead to Monday night's national championship game, assuming his team would be playing UConn or Illinois. 

I think some of that is fair; however, I'm going to side with those who applaud May for being out there, especially after his team played so well in their blowout against Arizona. They were obviously ready, and he must have been assured of that.

I also tend to think May's uncommon choice to watch the first game in person right before coaching also signaled that he expected his team to win. He trusted his team and was confident in how they would play against Arizona.

I believe that expectancy led to a desire and willingness to prepare the best he could, and he determined that it meant he needed to be out there watching UConn.

May is recognized for his scouting and preparation, which he developed early on as a student manager for legendary coach Bobby Knight. Knight is known for saying, "It's not the will to win, it's the will to prepare to win," and May is living that out.

Tonight's game will be fun to watch, and it's clear to me that May expected his team to be there and be well-prepared. (I'm sure the same is true for Dan Hurley.)

As we parallel this to our own lives, let's be encouraged to embrace the kind of expectancy that leads to preparation. As followers of Jesus, we believe He defeated sin and death on the cross, which means we expect to win. We know we are victorious in Christ, and our faith is in Him.

We are still here on earth, but we approach each day, along with our battles and our opponents, with trust and expectancy. Because we trust God, we expect Him to deliver on His promises, give us power and strength, transform us, accomplish His will, and comfort and guide us.

As a result, we can approach God with incredible confidence and hope, knowing He'll give us what we need.

Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) tells us, "Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God's gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]."

As we live with expectancy and confidence because of our faith in God and also in the return of Jesus and our salvation found in Him, we then have a desire and willingness to prepare our minds and hearts through prayer, worship, fellowship, and reading His Word to remain ready for whatever God has in store for us and whatever blessing, opportunity, or test may come our way.

1 Peter 1:13 (AMP) states, "So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Jesus says in Matthew 24:44 (ESV), "'Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

As we follow Jesus with expectancy and are ready for His return, people will recognize the hope we have in Him. So we must also be prepared to respond as explained in 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…"

Dusty May will have Michigan ready tonight, with confidence and hope, as their expectancy has helped prepare them.

Today, we have a hope and confidence that's unmatched, thanks to Jesus, so let's live with expectancy and preparation.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for the confidence and hope I have because of  Jesus' victory on the cross. I pray that I live with expectancy and pray with expectancy. Please help me prepare for Jesus to return and for the trials I face in this life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.