At this point in the summer, the draft is over and we know the changes NFL teams have made, the new coaches who have been hired, and the key free agents who have signed.
However, with training camp quickly approaching, there's plenty of unfinished business that needs to take place between now and the season. There are position battles in store, questions surrounding veteran players, and concerns about players holding out.
On Yardbaker.com, one headline reads, “Patriots Have Some Unfinished Business Before Training Camp.”
The Patriots still need to sign some of their rookies, come to an agreement with star cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, and figure out what to do with unhappy wide receiver, N’Keal Harry.
There are also guys across the league who re-signed with their team because they felt they still had unfinished business to take care of.
Chicago Bears tight end, Jimmy Graham, explained his decision to return for another season saying, "I certainly did for a second there, for a little bit, I've got a lot of unfinished business."
Green Bay Packers running back, Aaron Jones, also gave his reasons for staying with his team: "I've been in this offense. I know what comes with it. I know my teammates here, and we feel like we have unfinished business."
All of these stories create anticipation for the season and excitement for us as fans, while the unfinished business makes the summer fun because we follow along to see how everything plays out.
For some teams, however, the "unfinished business” can be a burden or a weight that can lead to discouragement since they know how far they have to go to accomplish their goals.
Similarly, when it comes to our own lives, we can relate to having “unfinished business.” There are things we want to accomplish or finish and goals we've set out to achieve.
We all have long to-do lists at home and work, and we can easily feel like we always have “unfinished business” hanging over our heads.
Sometimes it creates great motivation and reasons to keep going, but often we're discouraged by how far we still have to go. We don't acknowledge how many steps we’ve actually taken forward and how much closer we are.
This also translates to our faith journeys. We beat ourselves up when we feel like we have such a long way to go in becoming who God wants us to be.
We desire to be different and more like Jesus, but oftentimes our growth takes longer than we hope. We know we're a work in progress, but our “unfinished business” with our character can weigh us down if we allow it to.
Whether we’re talking about football or our individual growth as a person, there will always be “unfinished business” that can either motivate or discourage us.
As followers of Jesus, we should want to continue growing in knowledge and understanding, as well as obedience and faith. The truth is, however, it’s a process and God is constantly at work within us.
When we remain motivated to surrender and yield to Him each day, He’ll take care of our “unfinished business.” It’s up to us to rest in Him and seek Him…trusting that He’s the One doing the transforming from the inside out.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 (AMP), “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus .”
The ESV Study Bible provides commentary for this verse: “Genuine spiritual progress is rooted in what God has done, is doing, and will do. His faithfulness ensures that He will be with believers until Jesus returns.”
Today, as we fix our eyes on Jesus, let’s know that He’s refining us and building our faith…and every step toward Him is changing us. In humility, let’s embrace the “unfinished business” we have with our character while knowing Jesus is taking care of it.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know there's plenty of unfinished business in my life, but I trust that You are working in me and transforming me. I pray that I’d be fully surrendered to You and rest in knowing that You are the one who changes hearts. I desire to be more like Jesus, so I’ll continue to look to Him. In His name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What "unfinished business" do you personally have?
When you look back at who you used to be, how has Jesus changed your character?
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