UNPACK This...Super Bowl LIXಮಾದರಿ

Shouldn't Be Surprised

Surprises appear every NFL season. The 2024 regular season was no exception.

But for as many surprises as we saw over the past five months, we have to acknowledge that we shouldn't be surprised by the two teams that will battle for the Lombardi Trophy.

After all, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles firmly established themselves as two of the top teams in the league over the last few years, and both teams won at least 14 games during the regular season.

Surprises in sports are fun, but often, the outcomes make clear sense and shouldn't catch anyone off guard.

This principle is also true in our own lives. We praise God for the exciting surprises in our lives and trust Him during the difficult seasons we didn't see coming.

However, specific outcomes shouldn't surprise us when we look at how we structure our lives to experience blessings and avoid dangers.

Proverbs 22:3 says, "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

We shouldn't be surprised by life's constant strife if we refuse to make the necessary adjustments God calls us to make.

We shouldn't be surprised when we feel empty and dissatisfied, considering we've been chasing after selfish ambitions or worldly pleasures.

On the positive side, we shouldn't be surprised when we experience tremendous joy and peace while centering our lives around Jesus.

All of this ties in with the biblical concept of sowing and reaping.

Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Today, let's seek God and invest in what matters. When we do, we won't be surprised by our fruitful life with Christ.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please show me the areas of my life I need to adjust. I desire to experience a fruitful life that will help me sow into the things that will reap the best results. I praise You for guiding me along the right path. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.