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

Browns Lost, But Not Done Yet

When the Cleveland Browns lost a close game to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 playoffs, the season's end proved bittersweet for the franchise.

On one hand, every team is disappointed if its season doesn't culminate with a Super Bowl victory. But on the other hand, the Browns were encouraged by their franchise's progress.

Although the Browns were upset by the loss, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield had the right mindset heading into that offseason.

He said, "This is going to leave a bad taste in our guys' mouth for extra motivation through the offseason, but yeah, we have come a long way since I first got here. We are not done yet, and that is the best part."

At the time, there was no doubt that the team was both headed in the right direction and still in the process of becoming a Super Bowl-caliber team.

Regarding our faith, each of us is also in process. We can see areas of growth where "we have come a long way." Yet, we "are not done yet" when becoming who God desires us to be.

Like the Browns, the key is taking steps in the right direction and making progress. We can do this by seeking Jesus and living how God has called us.

Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, "I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."

The ESV study notes for this verse explain, "Genuine spiritual progress is rooted in what God has done, is doing, and will do. His faithfulness ensures that He will be with believers until Jesus returns. They can have confidence that the God who has saved them will never let them go, and that they will inherit their eternal reward."

Today, let's be encouraged and confident that God is still working in us and is not finished with us yet.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I'm so thankful for how far I've come, and I trust that You are still working on me. Help me fix my eyes on Jesus so I will change from the inside out. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.