NFL Theory of Relativity

Early weeks in the NFL (National Football League) are so misleading. One team pulverizes or shuts out another, we assume the winner is a powerhouse. Until, of course, we realize that the losing team we thought was so good, is actually over-rated and begins to lose more and more and play poorly each week. And the team that looked so strong was just beating up on over-rated, weak competition.

Is Baltimore really that good, or is Tampa Bay just struggling? Is Seattle suffering a post-Super Bowl letdown, or is Detroit a tough fight this year? Is New England starting to decline, or is Buffalo much improved?

As humans we compare, contrast, and judge without thinking. It affects us spiritually, too. We look at our brothers and sisters in Christ and have a subconscious pecking order. We compare ourselves to each other, instead of to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:12). We better be careful. If we compare ourselves to vague standards of what others are accomplishing, instead of fixing our eyes on Christ, we might be in danger. We might be over-rating ourselves. Or, as Paul puts it, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment" (Romans 12:3).