The Indianapolis Colts knocked off the Houston Texans last Saturday 21-7 and I’m all-in for the Colts to keep winning. Their story leading them to this point is truly remarkable.
Head coach, Frank Reich, was their second choice when hiring a new coach this past offseason, but he’s been the perfect fit for this team.
His journey is amazing when you consider he had a playing career as a backup QB, was a former seminary president, and then won a Super Bowl as an offensive coordinator with the Eagles.
Reich took over a Colts team that was coming off a 4-12 season and whose quarterback, Andrew Luck, needed to heal from a shoulder injury in order to throw the football again. Heading into this year, there were low expectations with some “experts” ranking them last in the league.
The Colts started off the season 1-5, which included a tough loss when they went for it on 4th down instead of playing for a tie. Even as that decision was criticized and the team wasn’t winning early, Reich was building this team for something special. Winning 10 of their last 11 games, they’re now in the second round of the NFL Playoffs.
As I reflect back on all the analysts who thought this team was “not talented,” too young, they settled for Reich, and Andrew Luck was no longer an elite QB, I’m so impressed the Colts trusted their head coach and rallied around what they believed inside the locker room.
Second-year cornerback Quincy Wilson says, “Frank gets us to believe we’re going to win every single week. He really does. And we really believe that.”
This Colts story makes me contemplate what we believe in our own lives. How often do we choose to listen to the lies that we’re not good enough…or this season will be a disaster…or we’re too injured…or we’re just a second choice…or we’re not capable of accomplishing anything significant?
As followers of Jesus, however, we can believe the truth that we’re redeemed…called…loved…forgiven…saved…and a child of God.
1 John 4:4 (NLT) reminds us, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
The Colts players had to decide who they thought their team and coach really were, and also if they were going to believe what the outside world said about them.
Similarly, we can easily get caught up in what the world says and start believing the lies instead of knowing what is true. What do we believe about ourselves, and even more importantly, what do we believe about Jesus?
In Matthew 16:13-16 (ESV) Jesus asked His disciples, “’Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”
Today as we believe who Jesus truly is, let’s accept who we are in Him and rest in that truth. Then, as the lies from the outside world tell us otherwise, we can continue to believe and win!
Heavenly Father, I believe You sent Jesus and I know He is the Christ and my Lord and Savior. I place my hope, trust, and identity in Him. I believe You can do incredible things through me because of the power that’s within me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
