In football, regardless of the level of play, a coach’s decision on who he names as the team’s starting quarterback is crucial to the team’s success.

A reliable QB is the leader on the field, effectively guides the offense, provides confidence and trust to his teammates and carries the pressure.

This week, multiple coaches determined their team needed to make a change at the quarterback position. Clemson’s coach Dabo Swinney is handing over the starter’s responsibilities to freshman Trevor Lawrence for their game against Syracuse on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals and coach Steve Wilks are giving control of their offense to rookie, Josh Rosen, after the previous starter, Sam Bradford, wasn’t working out well.

The Cleveland Browns and Hue Jackson are handing the reins to Baker Mayfield after he provided a powerful spark to the team last Thursday night.

Clemson is undefeated, yet they still realize Lawrence needs to be first on the depth chart. Arizona hasn’t won a game yet and it’s evident they need someone else in charge under center. The Browns have been lifeless for years and with Mayfield now taking over, there is hope for their future.

In a similar way, each day we must decide who is leading, guiding, and directing our lives. Are we “giving the offense,” or rather our hearts, minds, and control, to Jesus? Or are we trying to hang onto the reins?

Are we carrying the pressure each day or do we let go and ask Him to take over? Who is first on our depth chart? Are we putting our confidence and trust in Him or in ourselves?

If we want to keep our lives on the right track and “get the offense going” we have to remember to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 – ESV).

When we surrender our lives to Jesus, He provides us with a powerful spark and changes us from being lifeless to giving us hope and a future.

Paul explains what takes place within when we hand over our lives to Him: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 – NLT).

We can try to be the “starter” and go our own direction in life, but we must realize it’s not our best option and we have to make the change.

Jesus tells the crowd in Luke 9:23 (NLT), “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.”

Today, let’s decide to bench ourselves and daily submit to Jesus by allowing Him to lead and guide us. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for trying to take the reins and allowing pride and selfishness to direct me. Help me live a surrendered life – fully trusting You to direct my path. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.