UNPACK This...Placing Trust in God's ProcessSample

Riding The Waves Of Result

In 2021, I heard former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers speak at the Charlotte Touchdown Club Luncheon.

He shared football stories during his speech and explained the lessons he learned and the different principles he believes in.

Specifically, he talked about using the Latin mantra, "Nunc Coepi," which means "now I begin." This next-play mentality is crucial for quarterbacks and translates well to life.

Rivers also discussed how he used to be drained by the highs and lows of the season until he spent his final season in Indianapolis under head coach Frank Reich.

During that time, Rivers chose to focus on the process of practicing, studying the playbook, and watching game film.

Coach Reich would tell the team, "We're not going to ride the wave of the results on Sunday, we're gonna be the same group every single week."

In life, we understand that there is an enormous value placed on performance. However, I think Rivers and Reich have such an inspiring perspective.

The wave of results can be debilitating. We quickly get stressed about our accomplishments and goals, which can even seep into our spiritual lives.

When it comes to our faith journeys, we want to have fruit in our lives. But what if we trusted God for the fruit (results) instead of beating ourselves up when losing or puffing ourselves up when winning?

What if, instead of riding the wave of results, we stuck to the process of following Jesus and taking up our cross each day?

By focusing on fellowship, surrender, prayer, and reading God's Word, we can leave the results to God while He transforms our lives.

Philippians 2:13 tells us, "For it is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

Sometimes, we'll lose focus on the process and be discouraged by the results. But, when we fix our eyes on Jesus and stick to the sanctification process of being set apart and made holy, we'll have peace knowing the wins will come!

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to trust the sanctification process and leave the results up to You. Please give me peace in the process, as I know You are transforming me. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.