The official market opens today at 4 PM, but NFL free agent deals are already being reported left and right. Drew Brees is staying in New Orleans, but big name players like Jimmy Graham, Richard Sherman, Kirk Cousins, Sammy Watkins, and Sam Bradford are all switching to new teams.
There will be numerous players all over the league wearing new jerseys this fall and heading to different cities. Although just part of the sport, leaving a team where a significant amount of time has been spent, is a big deal. Players have been entrenched in the city, connected to those teammates, and identified by their role on that team.
Richard Sherman and Kirk Cousins have especially been key faces of their franchises and will be playing for their first new team since being drafted. We’ve grown accustomed to Sherman leading the Seahawks secondary and Cousins throwing touchdowns to Redskins wide receivers.
Fans in each of those cities have been cheering for these guys for many years, but now they will be viewed differently - Sherman playing for rival team, the San Franciso 49ers...and Cousins heading to Super Bowl contender, the Minnesota Vikings.
As these players leave their former teams to begin the next stage of their career, they must learn a different playbook, rethink the way they communicate plays, and embrace that fans will view them through a fresh lens.
While they make the transition away from their previous teams and change the way they do things, I'm reminded of the transformation that takes place once we follow Jesus.
Our previous activities, mindsets, desires, and identities represented a previous team. However, when we surrender our lives to Jesus and receive His grace, we are given a different playbook, a new way to communicate, and a fresh identity.
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT), ”Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Kirk Cousins and Richard Sherman will need time to adjust to wearing new jerseys and not seeing themselves as a Redskin and Seahawk.
Likewise, our spiritual transformation and renewal of thoughts and attitudes take time. But the more we leave our old life behind, we can embrace our new team and live a righteous, holy life found in Jesus.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m thankful I’m no longer who I used to be. Help me find my identity in You and live in a way that represents the new life You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Comments