Last night’s NFL Draft provided plenty of drama as NFL prospects experienced their dreams coming true while teams made drastic trades involving marquee players. Beyond being pumped about the Panthers drafting an offensive lineman, my takeaway from the night was the way general managers, coaches, scouts, and experts differed in their view of certain players. One GM might have thought a player was great while another GM didn't believe he'd become a top NFL player so he passed on him. Each of them saw a specific player and assessed their value completely differently...and their selections reflected that. This is why some draft picks were expected to be taken earlier but ended up sliding out of the first round. It’s also why so many were surprised when the Patriots selected an offensive lineman from Tennesee-Chattanooga, named Cole Strange, with the 29th overall pick after most people had him ranked much lower. Decisions were made for each pick based on a team’s perspective of a player’s character and abilities. Some teams focused more on the intangibles while others emphasized the scouting combine measurements. Eventually, when a team was “on the clock,” they had to consider if the player was worth a high draft pick based on what they saw him previously do. Once they realized he was the best choice, they called him with excitement! Teams most likely had to ask themselves these questions during the draft:
Do we have faith that he can deliver on the promises he told us during our interviews with him?
How confident are we in this player that he’s going to change our team?
Do we trust he’s capable of exceeding expectations?
Do we think this player’s game will be the same in the NFL?
As the answers to these questions determined how the NFL Draft turned out, I want to unpack how our answers to similar questions affect the decisions we make in life. The truth is, that our life reflects our view and perspective of God. If we truly understand His character and recognize His powerful abilities, then we'll choose to follow Him. If we value who God is and what He’s done to save us, then we know it’s absolutely worth it to “select” Him and live for Him. However, it’s also fascinating how people can have so many different perspectives and viewpoints of God. Just like the NFL Draft, and the GMs who had the wrong perspective on a player will miss out on the blessing of having him on their team, we miss out when we don’t see God the right way or overlook His greatness. So the questions we have to ask ourselves throughout our faith journey are these:
Do we have faith that He is who He says He is and He will deliver on the promises He told us in His Word?
Hebrews 11:6 (AMP) says, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for whoever comes to God must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
How confident are we in God and His power to change our lives?
Psalm 57:7 (NLT) proclaims, “My heart is confident in You, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing Your praises!”
Do we trust He’s capable of exceeding expectations?
Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) explains, “Now to Him who is able to do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think , according to His power that is at work within us…”
Do we think Jesus is the same as He’s always been?
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) affirms, ”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Ultimately, how we see God and what we think about Jesus will determine whether or not we choose Him and His ways every time we’re “on the clock.” Our perspective of God affects how we pray, how we worship, and our motives and approach to life. Thankfully, God has made a way for us to know Him personally through Jesus and He reveals His character to us and demonstrates His power in our lives. We just have to open our eyes to realize He’s always the best choice and call on Him with excitement! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to see You for who You really are. I pray I’d have the right perspective of Your greatness, power, and love. I pray I’d think about Your grace the right way and have the right view of how You’re changing me. Please help me to have a confident heart, and faith in Your promises, and help me trust that You are always the same and always capable of doing superabundantly more than I could ever think or imagine. To You be all the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
How has your view of God changed over the years?
How does your view of God affect the decisions you make?
Comments