The start of the NFL season is months away, but teams are already participating in OTAs (Organized Team Activities). During this phase of the offseason schedule, there’s no hitting or pads being used, but the media is still intrigued by how teams are looking.
As fans, we want to know which players are lining up with the starters, how the rookies are being integrated, and which veterans aren’t there. Sometimes, however, we can look too much into some of the stories coming out and overemphasize what players are doing while just wearing shorts.
Gregg Rosenthal on NFL.com wrote an article about the question NFL reporters face: “Do the stories from this time of year matter in the long run?”
He explains how the stories that don’t matter are the ones about veterans skipping work, injury recovery timetables, and any evaluation of performance.
Some veterans don’t go to OTAs because they’re negotiating for a better contract or training on their own. As long as they show up during training camp, teams don’t worry too much.
In regard to injury recovery timetables, Rosenthal states that coaches aren’t required to provide injury information right now, so they leave it very vague.
The evaluation of performance isn’t reliable because it’s hard to know what a player can fully do without wearing pads.
Rosenthal also writes about the stories that do matter and are worthy of our attention during OTAs:
Any suspensions surrounding legal issues that can cause a player to miss time.
Any significant injury developments that can lead to a player being out for the season.
Any veterans missing OTAs because they’re connected to trade talks.
As we unpack how NFL reporters determine what to worry about and focus on, we need to address what we worry about and focus on in our own lives.
Will the things we spend our time and money on really matter in the long run? Does getting angry or upset about a temporary issue at work bring any value? Does winning a fight with our spouse make a difference a week from now?
Just as we can easily get caught up in the fleeting headlines of OTA stories, we can also place too much importance on things that are nothing more than distractions and not worth the attention we give them.
Ultimately, what does matter is how we respond to God’s gift of salvation through Jesus. Romans 6:23 (ESV) tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord…”
What makes a significant difference in our lives is that we love according to Jesus’ greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV): “And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself…'”
Finally, how our lives please God and point to His greatness bring true meaning: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 – ESV).
Today, there are going to be activities and situations that need to be addressed, but let’s make sure to keep the right perspective on what truly matters in the long run.
Solomon sums it up best in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV): “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me not to get caught up in things that really don’t matter. Teach me to focus on Your Word and rest in the simplicity of what matters most – loving You and loving others. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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