NFL general managers continue to add new players to their roster through free agency as they attempt to construct a competitive and skilled team.
They know they need a reliable quarterback and a productive pass rusher, but they can’t have ten quarterbacks and 20 defensive linemen either. They need to distribute their salary cap to different positions for balance and proper depth.
As teams prepare for the NFL draft, we know particular positions like quarterback will be drafted early because there's an understanding that having a star QB is essential to winning consistently.
That may be true, but an awesome QB with a weak offensive line isn’t going to survive very long. Or a QB with a big arm that has no one to throw deep to, isn’t going to be able to utilize his abilities without a wide receiver who has speed.
So when it comes down to it, a stout offensive line and a dynamic wide receiver are also essential to a team.
Then other positions appear to be nonessential and taken for granted. Yesterday on the podcast, I interviewed Buffalo Bills' long snapper, Reid Ferguson. We discussed how his brother, Blake, is also attempting to make it to the NFL.
Interestingly, even though Blake is a top-ranked long snapper heading into the NFL Draft, it’s unlikely a team will draft that position. Even the best long snappers usually sign as an undrafted free agent.
Some would say having a top long snapper is nonessential, but think about how much trouble a team gets into after a bobbled snap. Although not as glamorous, their role is critical on special teams and absolutely needed.
I bring this topic up as the majority of our world (sports world included) is shut down, limited, and put on hold, and big decisions are being made left and right. The economy is taking a huge hit with many workers unable to do their job and businesses being closed.
While many people are told to stay home because their jobs are considered “nonessential,” others continue to go into work because their jobs are deemed "essential."
Understanding that these categories are established for our betterment and protection is important, but it’s still hard accepting that jobs are being divided up as “essential and nonessential.”
This brings up an even bigger and on-going concern within the Church. When considering the various work and roles represented by the Body of Christ, we can easily diminish ourselves and others because we feel certain gifts aren’t as essential.
Some might not appear as “glamorous” as others, but whatever position God has given each of us for His purposes is essential.
1 Corinthians chapter 12 is all about spiritual gifts and in verses 4-6 (NLT) it says, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”
So God is the One that distributes the gifts and connects us all in unity as one team and one body. We are meant to operate together for His purposes. All of our gifts can't be the same as each other, but as followers of Jesus, each of us has an essential role in His Kingdom.
Verses 20-26 (AMP) compare us to an actual body and the parts it’s made up of: “...there are many parts , but a single body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'
"But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, while our more presentable parts do not require it.
"But God has combined the body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, so that there would be no division or discord in the body , but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.
"And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it . ”
Today, as many of us are told our jobs are “nonessential,” let’s be mindful that the gifts God has given us in His Kingdom are essential...and the role we play as part of Christ’s body is truly needed.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to be joined with You and other believers as one. Thank You for the unique gifts You’ve given me. Please help me to maximize the role You’ve designed for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What are your spiritual gifts?
Why do we downplay some gifts and consider them nonessential?
How would our impact as the body of Christ change if we viewed all gifts and roles as essential?
Comentários