UNPACK This...Super Bowl LIXSample

Running Back Resurgence

Over time, the NFL has become increasingly quarterback-driven, and as a result, many teams have emphasized the passing game instead of the running game.

Despite recent trends, the 2024 season seemed to change the narrative. There was a running back resurgence, as coaches were willing to hand off the ball more often and consistently relied on their backfield. Running backs are becoming more prominent again.

The prime example of this resurgence is Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, who carried the football 345 times and amassed 2,005 rushing yards in a dominant regular season performance.

When I consider that the NFL has ignored running backs for years and has not regarded them as valuable, I wonder how we are guilty of doing something similar.

Have we stopped valuing meaningful relationships? Are we taking God’s Word for granted? Are we undervaluing the importance of worship and gratitude? Have we overlooked confession and accountability? Have we pushed aside a vibrant prayer life and forgotten the power of prayer?

James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

With running backs reminding their coaches of the importance of handing off the ball and demonstrating their ability to handle a significant workload, are we embracing what it means to “hand it off” in our lives?

Are we hanging onto our burdens, concerns, and problems, or are we handing them off to the One who can handle them?

Psalm 55:22 implores us to “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

Today, let’s allow Jesus to make a resurgence and become more prominent in our lives as we trust Him to lead us each day, reminding ourselves of His immense value and power as we strive to do the things to which He has called us faithfully.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to value the right things and correct any wrong thinking. Help me to hand off my burdens to You and to trust in Your power. I pray that Jesus will be preeminent in every aspect of what I do. In His name, I pray, Amen.