When the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, fans and experts alike were confused as to why the organization would take a signal caller after signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative deal months before.
To many, the puzzling decision indicated that the franchise wasn’t fully committed to attempting to win at the highest level in 2024. However, if we skip ahead to the present day, Atlanta is looking to win.
On Wednesday, the Falcons traded a 2025 third-round pick to the New England Patriots for edge rusher Matthew Judon. Judon, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is a much-needed shot in the arm for a Falcons pass rush that has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks in recent years.
Atlanta followed up on Wednesday’s transaction by signing free agent safety Justin Simmons into a one-year contract. Simmons has had the most interceptions in the NFL since 2016 (30), and he’s established himself as an elite playmaker in the secondary.
Although Atlanta had already made many offseason moves that helped improve the team before this week, the transactions of the past few days have demonstrated that Atlanta is not content with its progress thus far. Rather than resting on their laurels, the Falcons continue striving to improve.
As followers of Jesus, contentment is usually viewed as a positive attribute for us to possess, and rightly so. We can be content with Him no matter our circumstances. But is there ever a time in our walk with the Lord when it would be appropriate for us to have a particular kind of discontentment?
The answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!”
We should have a “holy discontentment” about our progress in character and Christlikeness. That’s not to say we don’t celebrate God’s kindness for the growth He’s already worked in us, nor does it mean we navigate through life discouraged and dejected. After all, our salvation depends not on our performance but on God’s grace.
However, it does mean we shouldn’t become complacent or cease passionately striving to grow and mature in our Christian walk.
The Apostle Paul echoed this sentiment in his letter to the church in Philippi when he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
There’s no denying that Paul was a very mature Christian who demonstrated good character and could tell other believers to imitate his manner of living (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Even so, Paul recognized he had not progressed to being perfect like Christ and said he “strained” to continue growing in all areas of his Christian life. Just as Paul demonstrated a “holy discontentment” with his progress as a believer, we should strive for more significant victories in our fight against sin.
So today, let’s not slack off or be tricked into thinking that we have come far enough on our faith journey. Let’s rest in the finished work of Christ on our behalf while simultaneously demonstrating a “holy discontentment” that leads us to pursue greater holiness for the glory of God.
I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me that salvation is not dependent upon my works and performance. Help me respond to Your amazing grace by giving maximum effort to conform to Christ’s likeness. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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