Alabama quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, declared for the NFL draft yesterday instead of returning for his senior year. This past season was cut short for the standout QB because of a dislocated hip, concussion, and broken nose.
Although he's expected to be a top NFL pick after finishing his time at Alabama as the FBS record holder for career passer rating, yards per attempt, touchdown/interception ratio, and touchdown %, Tua's health and previous injuries are concerns for interested teams.
This morning when watching The Dan Patrick Show, both Tua and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Carson Wentz, were being discussed. Wentz is also extremely talented, but his recent concussion caused him to miss most of their playoff game on Sunday.
This led Dan Patrick to ask, “Is he injury prone? He’s prone to put himself in a position to be injured. That’s the difference here.”
Dan then brought up how the Seahawks quarterback seems to have figured out how to run without getting injured by saying, “Russel Wilson’s never missed a game because he’s smart. He knows what he can and can’t do. Deshaun Watson still doesn’t know what he can and can’t do. Josh Allen, too young to know what he can and can’t do. Carson Wentz, maybe he’s too young to know, but he should because he got injured…”
Dan also explained how Wentz put himself out there and didn’t give himself up by sliding. Instead, he went for more yards resulting in Seattle’s defensive end, Jadevon Clowney, taking a shot at him and knocking him out of the game.
The conversation came back to Tua with Dan commenting, “He will have to know what he can and can’t do” and advising QBs to “get out of bounds, slide, be smart.”
This topic parallels how we handle sin in our lives, but rather than ask if we are prone to sin, I think we should ask is if we are prone to putting ourselves in a position to sin?
The truth is, we are all likely to sin when we put ourselves out there instead of “getting out of bounds,” “sliding,” and being wise.
Just like a quarterback has to sense danger, avoid defenders, and go down before being crushed, the Bible tells us to "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:8-9; NIV).
We must think in a similar way to quarterbacks who have to know what they can and can't do when running with the ball. For us, it's not just knowing the difference between right and wrong, but understanding which situations we can handle and which ones will put us in a position to sin. This requires maturity and discernment.
A QB might go for that extra yard, but then he suffers a nasty hit. Likewise, if we push the limits and take that extra step toward sin, it leads us down a path of destruction.
That’s why we have to heed the wisdom found in Proverbs 4:14-15 (NLT): "Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.”
In order for quarterbacks to remain healthy and have a long fruitful career, they must be willing to “give themselves up” by sliding or going out of bounds.
If we want to live a meaningful and fruitful life as followers of Jesus, we must be willing to give ourselves up and surrender as Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23-24 (NLT):
“If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to leave situations and avoid environments that set me up to sin. I pray for wisdom to know what I can and can’t handle and to avoid giving in to sin. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What situations or environments do you need to avoid or "get out of bounds" before they hurt you?
What areas of your life do you need to “give yourself up” and follow Jesus?
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