Currently, our world is in the middle of tremendous change and the same is true for sports. As much as we hope they’ll soon return, we know things could be drastically different in the days ahead.

While basketball is being altered because of the pandemic, new rules and options for players coming out of high school are also going to affect the game.

The NBA now has a Professional Pathway Program through their minor league known as the “G League” that could pay top prospects more than $500,000.

Instead of going to college, the players would develop their game through this year-long program. Normally we see top players go right to college (even if it’s only for a year), so this could open the door for a big shift.

Jalen Green is the number one prospect in the 2020 ESPN 100 and a potential top overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, but he is skipping college to become the Professional Pathway Program’s first participant.

In today’s ESPN Daily Newsletter, they write that “Top basketball prospects have followed the same road map for years: high school, one year of college and then the NBA. But now, the league is disrupting the one-and-done model to offer prospects a different trajectory.”

I’m curious to see how many of the elite players will take this new path and how it will impact college basketball moving forward. On the positive side, the players will have options for which direction they want to go and which path they want to take.

As I think about how “top basketball prospects have followed the same road map for years” and now have an offer for a “different trajectory,” I’m reminded of how we all have the option to decide which path we want to take in life.

Beyond sports and career decisions, we must choose to either follow Jesus down His path or go our own way. Usually, we spend a good portion of our lives following the “same road map” the world dictates – filled with self-indulgence, pain, emptiness, and selfish pursuits.

Then we meet Jesus and He offers us a new “pathway” filled with true life, hope, peace, and joy. He changes our whole trajectory by offering us salvation and developing our character so we become more and more like Him.

On our journey of faith, there are times when we might get enticed by the other path, but we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and continue to seek God’s will for our lives.

The Bible says in Proverbs 3:6 (NLT), “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

We can declare what it says in Psalm 16:11 (AMP): “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

Thankfully as we continue down the path of life, we don’t have to proceed blindly because it says in Psalm 119:105 (ESV), “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Even if we do veer off temporarily, we know there is grace as God shows us how to get back on track. Proverbs 10:17 (NLT) gives us this great reminder: “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.”

College prospects have options and decisions to make as they weigh opportunities and consequences for the path they choose, but they are not forced to go one way or the other.

Likewise, we each must consider our options and either follow Jesus down His path or decide to go another way. Let’s choose the one that leads to life and life abundantly.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for rescuing me and changing the trajectory of my life. I pray that I would seek You in all I do because I trust that You will show me the right path to take. Thank you for guiding me one step at a time. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS: