New England Patriots wide receiver, Julian Edelman, is retiring after an incredible 12-year NFL career that includes three Super Bowl wins and a Super Bowl MVP.
Edelman will be remembered for his huge catches that came at the biggest moments: catching the game-winning touchdown when the Patriots beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl…and making the diving catch that saved the Super Bowl when the Patriots came back to beat the Falcons.
A former quarterback at Kent State before being drafted in the 7th round of the draft by the Patriots, Edelman was converted into a wide receiver. Now that his successful and clutch career is coming to an end, his former teammates and coaches are sharing their thoughts about him.
Tom Brady posted a picture of Edelman on social media referring to his long beard and making this comment: “…it meant you were locked in and it was playoff time. That was when you shined the most. On the biggest stage and in the biggest moments, you always came through.”
Rob Gronkowski added, “Honor playing with ya, whenever a big play was needed ya always came thru, my friend.”
Bill Belichick shared a statement that included, “Day in and day out, Julian was always the same: all out. Then, in the biggest games and moments, with championships at stake, he reached even greater heights and delivered some of his best, most thrilling performances.”
Radio/TV host, Colin Cowherd, discussed Julian Edelman on his show yesterday and made a strong case for his Hall of Fame credentials by using an analogy: “Julian Edelman was always his best in the biggest games. He was the opposite of a stat compiler. Ask yourself this, what are the best friends, the ones that love those free trips to Vegas with you or the ones that show up when you’re in the hospital, getting a divorce, or need to move?
“There’s always the friends, the hangers-on who love the free dinners, the parties…they take your call…and then disappear when it matters. Edelman is the friend that was biggest when you needed him most.”
When considering Edelman’s clutchness in the biggest moments throughout his career, and how he always came through when his teammates needed him, let’s unpack the important parallel to our own reliability with friends.
Are we the kind of friend who shows up when our friends need us most – “when the game is on the line”?
Are we willing to sacrifice and move past our hesitations to come alongside friends during the biggest moments of their lives?
Can people count on us to “make a play” when they are looking for someone to step up and step into their difficulty with them?
Sometimes we tell ourselves that we don’t know what to say or what to do to help our friend, so we do nothing and “disappear when it matters.”
But what if we were the kind of “teammate” that showed up and did whatever we could to make a “clutch play”?
There is great importance in the kind of friend we are to others and the kinds of friends we choose. As Proverbs 18:24 (AMP) says, “The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, but there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.”
Jesus is the perfect example of a friend and tells us in John 15:12-13 (NLT), ”This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
The other important truth to unpack today is that as followers of Jesus we are a friend of God. Thankfully, when we need Him the most, in our biggest moments, and when time seems to be running out, we can trust Him to always come through and deliver.
Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) says, “Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”
God is clutch, so to speak, and even when we wish He would have made a “different play,” He always shows up to give us comfort, peace, and ultimately Himself. What a privilege it is, to call Him friend.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that I would follow Jesus’ example and love my friends well. Show me how I can lay down my life and sacrifice for them in some way. Thank You for allowing me to call You friend and for always being by my side, especially when I need You most. You are my comforter, my provider, and my deliverer. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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What kind of friend do you think you are?
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Do you have a “teammate” like Julian Edelman that you can always count on?
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How has God shown up in your life when you needed Him most?
