Green Bay Packers' star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is most likely going to win this year’s MVP award as he has his team one win away from heading to another Super Bowl.
Although his remarkable season is still going on, it doesn’t stop people from wondering about his future. He’s 37 years old and the Packers drafted a young quarterback, Jordan Love, in the first round of last year’s NFL draft to potentially replace him.
So how many more years will Rodgers want to play? How many more years can he play at an elite level? How many more chances will Rodgers have at winning a Super Bowl with the Packers? How many years will the Packers want him around before moving onto the next guy just as they did with him and Brett Favre?
Although the media and fans may be concerned about those kinds of questions, that’s not what Rodgers is focused on. This week he said via ESPN.COM, "I'm always just trying to stay present, especially this year as much as anything, and enjoy the moments. I hope there's more opportunities, but I don't know. I mean, I really don't. That stuff is out of my control. My future is a beautiful mystery I think.
"The present is such a gift to be able to stay in the moment and to have gratitude for being in this situation again, and being with the guys and having fans in our stadium and maybe snow in an NFC Championship Game. I'm going to enjoy these moments for sure, and just not worry about what happens down the line."
He went on to say, "...all that other stuff... is stuff that I'm just not going to focus on. Because to me, it is a beautiful mystery what happens down the line, but there'll be a time when we meet that future, and right now I'm just going to enjoy the present."
I love watching Aaron Rodgers and I hope he keeps playing for a while, but either way, I appreciate his approach to the present and perspective about the future.
All of us today have questions swirling around about what’s going to happen next and what will take place in our future. These questions can easily take our focus away from the present and keep us from making the most of the moments we’re experiencing right now.
Having gratitude and peace is hard when we concentrate on the future and worry about the unknown. However, as followers of Jesus, we can abound in hope concerning our future because we know God is in charge and ultimately it includes eternity with Him.
We may wonder about our earthly lives...how long we’ll be here...how we’ll handle certain changes...and how difficult circumstances are going to work out, but when our trust is in God we can truly embrace the aspects of our future that are a “beautiful mystery.”
This allows us to soak in the moment, know who's in control, enjoy God's presence in our life now, and “not worry about what happens down the line."
The Bible encourages us in Matthew 6:33-34 (NLT) to “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Luke 12:31-32 (AMP) says something similar: “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Lastly, as we long for Jesus to return to earth and take us home, let’s remember we don’t know when He’s coming back, but in the meantime, we can embrace that “beautiful mystery.”
As Matthew 24:42 (AMP) tells us, “So be alert , for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
To steal the words from Aaron Rodgers, "There'll be a time when we meet that future, and right now I'm just going to enjoy the present."
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I have so much to be thankful for at this moment and I pray I’d learn to enjoy the present instead of worrying about the future. I know my future is in Your hands and I trust in Your plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What aspects of your future cause you the most concern?
How would your life be different if you worried less about what was next and embraced the moment?
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