On ESPN.com’s front page today, a 2019 Mock Draft is featured when the actual NFL Draft doesn’t even take place until the end of April!
I know some NFL teams have no hope for the playoffs, and they’re shifting their attention to next year, but shouldn’t fans be focusing on the games we’re going to see during the next three weeks?
After all, there are some great matchups among the top teams fighting for playoff positioning. There will be plenty of time to enjoy mock drafts and the NFL Draft process once the season is over, but right now we can actually experience exciting games taking place.
The fact that ESPN is already pumping up next year’s draft isn’t much different than our own mindsets. There's always something happening "next" to think about or we're already making plans for the New Year.
This is the most wonderful, yet craziest time of the year in sports and life. I love how the Christmas season is filled with activities and nonstop sporting events. Just as soon as one ends another begins, and sometimes we’re juggling them all at the same time.
Because of this, some of the questions that fill our minds are: What are we doing after this? What game is on next? Who’s coming over tomorrow? How are we going to get there on time?
Unfortunately, these distracting questions can consume us, prevent us from embracing what we’re currently doing, and stop us from living in the moment.
A fun element of the Christmas season is exchanging presents, but perhaps the best gift we can give ourselves (and others) this year is a mindset of being present.
When we’re watching the 1 o’clock games, we need to stop thinking about the 4 o’clock games. When we’re singing Christmas carols, we must put out of our minds what movie we’re going to see later. And when we’re in the midst of watching the Santa Clause movie, we’ve got to stop focusing on the Bowl game that comes on afterward.
When we get so caught up in all of the possibilities the holiday season and our sports schedule have to offer, we can easily forget to enjoy the moment and the people around us.
I confess that my Christmas calendar is pretty full with family gatherings and traditions of the season. But often I’m so consumed with fitting in as much fun as possible that I miss out on embracing the actual experiences.
However, when we soak in the present, we are more apt to see the good in others or pick up on the pain they may be going through, so we can be an encouragement.
When we’re alert and aware of the present, we can sense God’s presence and better hear His voice. He can even teach us something meaningful through the Christmas traditions, stories, songs, and people we interact with.
The truth is, what makes Christmas awesome is the celebration of God saving us through Jesus…and the joy, hope, and peace we find when we slow down enough to soak in the meaning.
This Christmas as we get pulled in many directions, and go from one thing to the next, let’s try to be present by seeking God in everything.
Let’s truly experience His love all around us and remember the words of Psalm 46:10 (AMP): “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that You would give me the strength to be present this Christmas season so that I can recognize Your deep love and wonderful plan for salvation through sending Jesus. I pray I’d enjoy the moments of celebration and cherish the memories along the way. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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