In the 2017 NFL Draft, Jamal Adams was drafted 6th overall by the New York Jets and made an immediate impact during his rookie season.
Having experienced the winning tradition as an LSU safety, coming into his first NFL locker room was a huge culture change.
In an interview with Bleacher Report, Adams shared his initial observations and perspective on the new atmosphere:
“Everybody was used to losing. You can always tell that vibe. I came in, and it was like everybody wanted to do the bare minimum. They didn't want to go above and beyond.
"They didn't want to take that extra step. They didn't want to be uncomfortable, to be great, you have to be uncomfortable. You have to be willing to sacrifice and willing to do the little things.
"And the team, the organization, just wasn't doing those things. It could've been two or three people on the team that were doing it and then the rest weren't or vice versa."
The franchise is in the process of turning things around and there is some pushback to these comments, but I think Adams raises legitimate concerns. Not only should the team take this as a challenge moving forward, but I think we can too.
What kind of “vibe” do we give off? Do others find us engaging and optimistic...or are we just doing the "bare minimum” at our jobs, in our marriage, with our kids, or in serving God?
Are we willing to be “uncomfortable” and step out of our comfort zone in order to “sacrifice” and make an impact?
As followers of Jesus, we must operate with a winning mentality and remember the strong tradition of our team.
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
Because of this important role, we must stand out, be contagious, and set the tone of hope, peace, and joy when we interact with others. Our lives should be different and transformational as we represent Christ and give maximum effort.
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) tells us, ”Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
We are given another great challenge in James 1:22 (NLT): "But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
Today, let’s set the tone and affect the culture around us. Even if we’re a “young player” like Jamal Adams, let's cling to the words in 1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, show me how to step out of my comfort zone to serve You and love others well. Help me not to have a losing mentality, but to bring a hopeful and optimistic vibe to those around me so they can see You in me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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