The first round of the NFL Draft turned out to be another special night. Players’ dreams came true when they heard their name called by the commissioner…even if he was in his basement.
The majority of the picks were relatively predictable with only a few surprises. As always, however, the selections and decisions by the GMs are now being questioned while the players chosen are being evaluated and critiqued.
As we look back at the first 32 picks, some may wonder why the Cowboys drafted a wide receiver with their first-round pick…why the Panthers passed on Isaiah Simmons…why the Raiders made the moves they made…and especially why the Green Bay Packers did what they did. What a head-scratcher!
The Packers traded up to the 26th spot in order to draft Utah State quarterback, Jordan Love. That’s right, a team one win away from the Super Bowl last year that still has Aaron Rodgers, decided to take a raw talent that isn’t expected to contribute on the field next season.
Rodgers needed additional weapons on offense to help him immediately, but instead, the team drafted his backup and the one expected to replace him.
Of course, the craziest part of this whole situation is the fact that the Packers did the same thing 15 years ago when they drafted Aaron Rodgers while Brett Favre was still on the roster.
With a similar scenario and the exact questions being raised all these years later, fans have to trust that the Packers know what they are doing. After all, when we look back at the decision 15 years ago, we realize Rodgers took them to the Super Bowl and has had an incredible career.
Although we won’t know the outcome for a while, the surprising pick of Jordan Love may or may not work out for them with the unpredictability of sports and GMs making both good and bad decisions all the time. Regardless of how it does turn out, today we can’t help but question what the Packers are doing.
Unfortunately, our questioning doesn’t stop with sports. We also question God when our life isn’t coming together the way we think it should or when things don’t make sense from our vantage point.
With a limited scope of information in front of us, we oftentimes can’t wrap our minds around what is going on. We believe God should be giving us what we want or think we need, but He has a bigger plan, knows the future, and does what’s best for us.
Unlike NFL GMs, His decisions are always the right ones. But even though we know this, it doesn’t stop us from asking these kinds of questions:
“Why won’t God help me get that job?”
“Why won’t our house sell?”
“Why can’t we get pregnant?”
“Why is God being silent?”
“Why would God allow this to happen?”
It may be a while, but oftentimes after the doubt and the questioning, we look back and see how the confusing circumstances and head-scratching scenarios fit together with His perfect plan playing out.
A great example of this is how the disciples were confused and filled with questions as Jesus was preparing to die on the cross. In John 13 (AMP), Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, but in verses 6 and 7 this interaction takes place:
“When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, ‘Lord, are You going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied to him, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.'”
Even the disciples were limited in their understanding of the bigger plan that was taking place.
Also, the Bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV), “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Today, instead of questioning God for not making the moves we think He should make, let’s trust Him fully and remember His faithfulness, power, sovereignty, and goodness. Before we know it, we’ll be looking back and saying. “Ohhh, You knew best…You were right after all!”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t be so consumed with questions, but filled with trust and peace as I know I’m limited in my understanding. I believe Your plans are better than mine and Your ways are higher than mine. Please give me hope in the moments when things don’t make sense to me. I know You are good. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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What are the times in your life when you’ve looked back and seen things make sense that didn’t at the moment?
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What are you questioning right now that you need to surrender and trust God with?
