By Staff Writer, Matt Osborne Over the years, there have been some historically bad NFL Draft trades. Case in point, the New Orleans Saints once traded away their entire collection of 1999 draft picks (six in all) and their first and third-round picks in the following draft, simply to move up seven slots to take running back, Ricky Williams. The Minnesota Vikings have also long been chided for their trade involving running back Herschel Walker, in which the Vikings sent the Dallas Cowboys five active players, three first-round picks, three second-round picks, and two additional draft selections for the primary purpose of adding Walker to their roster. In both examples, the teams severely hurt their ability to be competitive in the future, all for the sake of acquiring players who would go on to be major disappointments for their respective franchises. We have seen time and time again how drafting is an inexact science. Executives, coaches, scouts, and fans alike have been routinely "certain" that a particular player will go on to have a long and productive NFL career, only to discover that the player didn't live up to the hype. We have also observed that no one is immune from making a bad draft selection. Of course, some general managers have a better track record than others, but every GM has made a terrible selection when their team is on the clock. As such, when trades like these occur, general managers are typically asked by reporters how they can justify giving away so many valuable assets in the hopes that one particular player will pan out. In response, many of those same GMs have made the statement, “It’s not about how many picks you have. It’s about getting the right players.” It seems illogical to regularly trade away a multitude of assets in the hopes that one player will turn out to be a superstar - especially when there's a good chance the general manager will miss on their selection. The pride and arrogance of believing their picks will be right have led to many NFL general managers depleting their current rosters, sabotaging future roster possibilities, and even losing their jobs. Arrogance is an awful thing for an NFL general manager to have because it can result in making tactical mistakes that painstakingly plunge their team into disaster. But as followers of Jesus, the presence of pride or arrogance can be even more devastating. The book of Proverbs has much to say about the dangers of allowing pride to be a lingering presence in our lives. Here are a few examples: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2; ESV). “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18; NIV). “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 26:12; ESV). When we start to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we fail to recognize we're fallible human beings consistently capable of making devastating mistakes. Perhaps even worse, we fail to acknowledge that whatever good things we're able to accomplish are ultimately not a result of our own competency, but of God’s grace. Writing in the context of people taking pride in one person over another, the Apostle Paul stated to the church in Corinth, “For who considers you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7; NASB). If we're able to do anything of value here on this earth, it's simply because God has graciously given us the gifts and ability to do so. There's nothing inherently within ourselves that makes us able to generate amazing and meaningful productivity. The more we embrace the fact that apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5), the more we walk in a humble manner that will better allow us to reflect God’s character, serve our neighbors, and avoid destruction. So today, let’s not be arrogant or proud in thinking that we're better than others or that we won’t “get it wrong.” Instead, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus and arm ourselves with meekness and humility. I’m Matt Osborne and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for all of the good things You have graciously given to me. Please forgive me for the times I've been proud and arrogant, and help me to serve You and others in humility. May it all be done for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. When has pride led you to "destruction" and what impact did it have on yourself and others?
2. What would it look like for you to walk humbly in your day-to-day life?
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