The Miami Dolphins appear to be a team heading in the right direction after coming off a season in which they were much more competitive than most expected them to be.

In this year’s draft, they selected former Alabama star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, with the fifth pick. He’s very talented, but he battled injuries during his college career. As anxious as the Dolphins are to see their top draft pick out on the field, they won’t rush him.

Thankfully, the Dolphins have a veteran quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, on their roster. He’s heading into his 16th NFL season after being drafted in the seventh round out of Harvard. Currently, on his eighth team, he’s been both a starter and a backup throughout his career.

Although Fitzpatrick will begin the season as the Dolphins starting QB, he understands this is temporary and realizes Tagovailoa will eventually be taking over as the starter.

Fitzpatrick recently shared, “I don’t know how much time it will be before Tua is in the lineup, but I know I’m the placeholder. We’ve had that conversation. Whenever Tua gets his chance I will be his biggest cheerleader. I think I have a unique perspective because of the career I’ve had.”

Willing to move to the sidelines when the new franchise quarterback takes the reins, Fitzpatrick embraces his role. He knows Tua will be in the spotlight and that means he must take a step back and support him.

I’m always fascinated by the dynamics between quarterbacks, but this setup and perspective are about as good as you can hope for with an NFL team.

It may not parallel perfectly, but when I think about this story, I’m reminded of John the Baptist in the Bible. His role was to go before Jesus and preach to people about repenting from sin and being baptized. John wasn’t the Savior, but he was proclaiming that the Messiah was coming to save the people.

Matthew 3:1-3 (NIV) explains, “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is He who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”'”

John was preparing the way for Jesus and was a messenger sent by God to declare the truth. He understood his role and was ready to step back once Jesus entered into the spotlight.

The following well-known verse was said by John the Baptist in John 3:30 (ESV): “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

It’s simple and powerful and I love how the Message translation paraphrases it: “This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.”

He also preached in Mark 1:7-8 (ESV): “…After me comes He who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist is a great example of humility, faith, and obedience. He knew what his assignment was, but was very aware that Jesus needed to be at the forefront because He was the true Savior.

Today, as we read these stories, let’s evaluate our own lives and determine areas that Jesus’ influence and presence need to increase and our selfishness and pride need to decrease.

In what ways are we trying to remain in the spotlight of our lives instead of being willing to step aside and let Jesus reign in our hearts?

Let’s humble ourselves and realize how mighty and worthy our Lord and Savior is. With faith, let’s accept the role He has for us as we support His mission and follow His way.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me understand how I can step aside and allow Jesus to be at the center of my life. I pray I’d stop seeking the spotlight, but in humility decrease my selfishness and increase my dependence on Jesus. I ask that His presence and influence in my life would also increase. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. In what ways do you need to decrease and Jesus increase?

  2. What is God’s unique assignment for you to support His mission?