Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce announced earlier this week that he will return to the field for the 2025 season, alleviating some of the concerns of the team's fan base.
Though it had been expected for some time that Kelce would put on the pads in 2025, a cloud of doubt was cast upon the situation in the immediate aftermath of Kansas City's Super Bowl loss, as he was rather noncommittal about a decision to continue his playing career.
Kelce proceeded to take a little time to contemplate his future but, ultimately, didn't take very long to determine that he wanted to prolong his playing days.
In a text to ESPN personality Pat McAfee, Kelce said, "I'm coming back for sure. Gonna try to get into the best shape I've been this offseason and get back to the mountaintop. Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and with how I got the guys ready for battle. I can't go out like that!!!!"
Kelce's decision is hardly surprising, but it is still fascinating to see how, in part, his decision to play in 2025 was impacted by his desire not to end his career on a sour note.
When you consider things from a big-picture perspective, Kelce is quite fortunate that he can even decide if he wants to continue playing next season. After all, most professional athletes can't control when their playing careers will end. For most, their life as an active professional athlete ends abruptly by either being cut or suffering a major injury.
As followers of Jesus, we must recognize that, like most professional athletes with their careers, we don't have ultimate control over when our "time" here on earth will end. Eventually, the days that the Lord has ordained for us in His book will end, and our ability to impact our legacy will be finished.
Although we don’t control our departure time, we can and should live with the desire to "exit the game" the right way.
Throughout scripture, we are constantly reminded of the brevity of life. Some may feel like they will continue "playing" forever, but the end of the line is much closer for all of us than we recognize.
James 4:14 (LSB) says, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
Recognizing the brevity of life is not meant to drive us to despair. For all true believers, the thought of death shouldn’t inspire anxiety or fear. It is the way God ushers us into His presence for eternity. It is the culmination of our hearts' true longings and the fulfillment of our greatest hopes.
Thinking about the brevity of life should inspire us to want to ensure that we use our time wisely to glorify God during our days on earth.
Ephesians 5:15:17 (ESV) says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
One day, we will all have to stand before Christ's judgment seat to give an account for our actions in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10). This recognition should significantly impact our daily choices, ensuring that we are focused on doing what pleases God most.
I hope that each of us will take time to reflect seriously on how we live our lives. If our time were to be up today, how would we feel about how we ended things in our "career"? Would we have a “real bad taste in our mouth”?
Though I understand that none of us are living a perfect life right now, I hope that serious reflection causes us to pause and think seriously about some of our patterns and choices.
When we consider some of those things in light of eternity, we may very well conclude the same way Kelce has: "I can't go out like that!" We can “get back out there” with renewed passion and motivation.
Today, if God gives us more time and an opportunity to “keep playing,” let’s ask Him for the wisdom, grace, and strength to run our race well for His glory.
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all the times I’ve lived without focusing on the things that truly matter to You. Please help me to orient my life correctly and to do all things for Your glory. No matter how many days I have left, I ask that You help me make the most of my time here. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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