Thanks to the NFL, we have some stories and transactions to be intrigued and excited about.

This morning, an announcement was made that Tom Brady is officially leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons. This news is hard to fathom when you think about his extraordinary success since being drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round in 2000.

Winning six Super Bowls as their quarterback, Brady has been the face of the franchise, deeply engrained in New England, and strongly linked to head coach Bill Belichick.

At the age of 42, he’s searching for a new team, a new coach, a new owner, new weapons, and ultimately a new adventure. Wondering how much he has left in the tank and if he’ll immediately turn his new team into a Super Bowl contender, the story will be fascinating to follow.

As I think about Brady leaving the only franchise he’s ever known, I realize he’s stepping out of his comfort zone in a big way. He has hung out in the same locker room, listened to the same loyal fans cheer for him, and has probably taken the same roads to the stadium year after year.

Brady has been comfortable with his offensive coordinator and was obviously familiar with the playbook and the offense, as he’s thrived in the Patriots system.

Although everything has been such a good fit for Brady and has allowed him and the team to have the highest level of success for such a long time, I can understand why he might want to mix things up…try a different approach…listen to new coaches…explore other options…and take on a fresh challenge.

It’s not surprising that someone as competitive as Brady would want to push himself to step out of a familiar, comfortable, and dare I say, easy situation, to embrace the next endeavor.

When it comes to our own lives, I think we like the idea of life being comfortable, easy, and familiar. What’s going on in the world is affecting us so profoundly because we’re in unchartered territory.

Beyond the current pandemic, however, we often land in situations out of our control and find ourselves in unfamiliar spots. But when we’re out of our comfort zone, we’re provided a new outlook, a fresh perspective, a different challenge, and ultimately, valuable growth.

As followers of Jesus, when we face something that stretches us or we step into something we aren’t used to, it tests us and hopefully leads us to a deeper faith and reliance on God. That’s why we should be challenged not to live a life that’s just about being comfortable, familiar, easy, and playing it safe.

God reveals His glory and shows up in incredible ways when we leave the familiar confines we’ve grown accustomed to. When we experience a new endeavor and embrace a fresh opportunity, we get to see God move in us and through us.

Like Tom Brady, new opportunities and possibilities are awaiting us. Instead of remaining stuck or comfortable, we can take a step of faith and explore the unfamiliar adventure God has planned for us. To be willing to do this, we must trust Him, change our thought process, and renew our minds.

Romans 12:2 (AMP) challenges us with these words: “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”

Today, let’s ask God to reveal His will to us and ask Him to use us in new and fresh ways for His glory…even if that means we have to step out of our comfort zone.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me not to be so stuck in my ways and unwilling to step out of my comfort zone. I ask that You would renew my mind so I’d be willing to embrace the challenges of unfamiliarity and follow Your plan and purposes. I pray my faith and reliance on You would grow. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. In what ways is God calling you out of your comfort zone?

2. What is the problem with living a life that is comfortable, easy, and familiar?