For the last 20 years, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady accomplished extraordinary success together with the Patriots winning six Super Bowls and appearing in another three.
We can debate who was more valuable or who played a bigger role in the team winning, but we can agree that combined, they established a culture and standard that set them apart from the rest of the league.
The “Patriot Way” is a well-known term used to describe how the franchise operates. Whether we root for them or not, we know it has worked.
Seeing how they function without their star quarterback leading the way will be very interesting. Will they still have Super Bowl expectations? How will their offense change? Will they continue to operate with the same standard of excellence without Tom Brady?
Patriots' special teams' star and 3x Super Bowl Champion, Matthew Slater, offered his perspective to the media:
“I think part of that new identity is going to built on things that we’ve always stood for and will continue to stand for as long as this organization is led by the people that it’s led by.
"I think that’s gonna be selflessness, hard work, doing what’s best for the football team, serving one and another, having no expectation that things are going to be handed to us. These are the ways we’ve always operated and I think we’ll have to continue to operate in the same manner we always have…”
He also made it clear, “...the goals don’t change at all. The standard doesn’t change at all. The pillars that we stand upon don’t change at all.”
There's no question the Patriots will go through a major transition without Tom Brady setting the strong example of the “Patriot Way,” but it makes sense that the established standard will remain in place for the players who are still there.
My question for us to unpack today is what standard are we living our lives by? Are we looking to the standard that God established for us or are we basing our decisions on the standard the culture has put in place?
Ultimately, God’s standard is perfection. Although we all fall short of that, which is why we need Jesus and His grace, as His followers, we are still commanded to live by the standard set in God’s Word.
He provides us a standard for marriage, parenthood, and friendship along with the other pillars and principles to operate under. Jesus set the perfect example for us while He walked the earth and even though He returned to heaven, the standard He established remains for us to follow.
These scriptures from the Bible give us great insight:
"Therefore become imitators of God , as well-beloved children ; and walk continually in love , just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God a sweet fragrance” (Ephesians 5:1-2; AMP).
"But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct ; because it is written, 'You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:15-16; AMP).
Today, let’s be encouraged to be different than the world’s standards and pursue the true standard of excellence as we follow Jesus. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I fall short and need Your grace, but please help me to rely on You to follow the standard You’ve called me to live by. I know Your way is best and most fruitful. Help me to become more like You each day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
In what ways do you feel like culture's standards have clouded your view of God's standards?
What does it look like for followers of Jesus to be holy or set apart?
Comments