Tomorrow at 3 PM EST, the NBA trade deadline passes. NBA junkies, like myself, enjoy the days and hours leading up to that time. It's fun to hear about the trade rumors and guess which moves each team will make.
Before teams pull the trigger, General Managers must consider what players they're willing to part with, and as they call each other to propose deals for a trade, they ask, “What are you willing to give up?” and “What players are you willing to let go of?”
These conversations help determine the seriousness and willingness to make a trade, and the passion behind receiving a particular player.
Last night, a big NBA trade already took place with the Rockets, Timberwolves, Hawks, and Nuggets completing a four-team 12-player deal. Clint Capela and Robert Convington were the key pieces being moved.
Major League Baseball also got in on the action with a blockbuster trade between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal sends former MVP, Mookie Betts, and pitcher, David Price, to LA, putting the Dodgers in an even stronger spot to compete for a World Series.
“What are you willing to give up?” isn’t only a question for GMs, but one that we can daily ask ourselves as followers of Jesus. If we truly want to follow Him closely, we must be willing to let go of what He asks us to, so we can receive all of the many blessings He has available.
Ultimately, we’ve traded our former life for the life we now have in Christ. So, each day we must make the necessary sacrifices and surrender anything that holds us back from fully experiencing and wholeheartedly enjoying Jesus and the life He’s given us.
Are we willing to give up our worry for God to give us peace? Will we let go of bitterness and anger so we can receive joy? Will we sacrifice temporary selfish pleasure in order to experience abundant satisfaction in Jesus? Will we allow Him to replace our pain with comfort? Will we trade our worldly mindset for a heavenly one?
The Bible says in Romans 12:1-2 (ESV), “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Today, let’s not hold onto the things we no longer need or hinder us from living a holy, renewed, and transformed life. Let's choose to be living sacrifices as our response to the trade Jesus already made when He gave up His life for ours on the cross.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that You care enough to allow me to trade my pain, selfishness, and bitterness for the spiritual blessings found in You. Please give me the strength to surrender and sacrifice for Your purposes, and help me remain in Your will. I’m so thankful to receive Jesus! In His name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
1. What is something in your life you're holding onto and not willing to give up?
2. What is something you were willing to give up in the past and you're so glad you did?
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