Yesterday, I wrote about the challenges of NFL teams having two quarterbacks vying to be the starter, but today I want to unpack the positive side of a veteran QB actually helping the newly drafted QB.
Jimmy Garoppolo played his college football at Eastern Illinois (an FCS school), before being drafted by the New England Patriots. Of course, Tom Brady was already the veteran quarterback when Garoppolo was selected to be his apprentice.
Interestingly enough, Garoppolo now finds himself in the opposite situation as San Francisco's starting quarterback, and rookie, Trey Lance from North Dakota State (an FCS school), hoping to learn from him.
On ESPN radio, Garoppolo shared this: "It's kind of coming full circle. You go through this NFL career and you start as a young guy coming in. Tom kind of showed me the ropes. The competition between us was awesome. It really made me grow as a rookie and as a young player. So, that's kind of what me and Trey, we'll mold our relationship into that.”
He added, "I try to use my own personal experiences and just what I went through, what helped me, what challenged me as a young player. I'm going to use those tools that helped me and try to help Trey out. It's hard to come into this league; I know how it was coming from an FCS school to the NFL. It's a bit of an adjustment, the speed, whatever you want to call it, it's just different. So, whatever I can do to help him, I'll be more than happy."
This isn’t always the dynamic between the rookie QB and the veteran QB, so good for Garoppolo for having this perspective. Oftentimes, the incumbent starter just wants to focus on his “own game” instead of helping another player.
Despite the competition and jobs being on the line, Garoppolo is describing the wonderful model and process of mentorship. Every QB comes in as a rookie, and if they're fortunate enough to stick around, they become the veteran. How valuable it can be to pass on wisdom from personal experiences to the next guy who is trying to figure things out.
I believe this can be an impactful reminder to us when it comes to discipleship as followers of Jesus. When new believers first enter into a life with Jesus, they have so much to learn and need help from those of us further along in the journey.
Each of us has valuable experiences and lessons learned from our walk with Jesus that can be passed on to the “next guy” who is new to the faith and the Bible.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT), “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
Colossians 3:16 (NLT) says, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives…”
It's important to ask ourselves if we're willing to pass on what we've learned about Christ and share His wisdom in order to disciple and mentor others. Instead of only being concerned with “our game,” we should be willing to come alongside others and help them with their journey.
As Jimmy Garoppolo put it in a football context, "I try to use my own personal experiences and just what I went through, what helped me, what challenged me as a young player. I'm going to use those tools that helped me and try to help Trey out.”
Life is hard and rather than people trying to figure things out on their own, let's provide help based on the experiences and tools we have that are rooted in God’s truth.
But let’s remember, we don’t have to have all the answers. Although Garoppolo isn’t the best QB in the league, he has still learned lots of lessons and has plenty of understanding to pass along to Lance.
So today, let’s ask God to remove our pride, insecurities, and excuses, and with an open heart and mind ask Him to show us who we need to disciple and share our life experiences with.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for the work You've done in me and my life. I pray I can bring value to someone else who needs help in their own journey. Please show me who that is and the ways I can come alongside them to share the wisdom You've given me. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Has anyone discipled you along your journey as a follower of Jesus?
What experiences and lessons learned do you think can be valuable to pass along to someone else?
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