Thursday night’s NBA Draft will feature prospects from around the world hearing their name called by the commissioner, Adam Silver.

Players expected to be drafted with the top three picks are Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller. In total, 58 players will have their names called during the draft this year.

Each player selected will discover what team they’re heading to and will soon find out their role. Once a player’s name is called, they become a member of the NBA fraternity and fulfill their lifelong dream.

Draft night, of course, isn’t the end of the journey for those who are selected, but rather the beginning. They leave their former college or pro teams behind and are now expected to play like someone worthy of the life-changing call they received during the draft.

Although chosen with no NBA experience, and before showing they’re truly NBA players, GMs, and coaches have a plan to empower and equip them to become the players worthy of the call they received on draft night.

There will be grace as the players develop, but they must willingly understand what it means to be an NBA player and represent a franchise, and accept the new life they’re stepping into.

There’s a great parallel for us to unpack as followers of Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT) tells us, “For God saved us and called us to live a Holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.”

When we hear our name called and receive God’s invitation to join His team for eternity through faith in Christ, we become a child of God. This isn’t the end of the journey, but rather the beginning because now we’re expected to live like someone called out of our former life into a new life with Him.

Paul encourages us in Ephesians 4:1-6 (AMP) by writing, “So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love.

“Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.”

When God chose us and called us to be on His team, we had no experience as a disciple, but thankfully His grace is abundant and He empowers and equips us through the Holy Spirit to become the person He calls us to be.

We must willingly understand what it means to be His disciple and accept the new Holy life we’re stepping into…one that is worthy of the call.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for calling my name and welcoming me into Your family. I pray I would represent You well and live a life that is Holy and worthy of the calling You have for me. Thank you for empowering me, equipping me through the Holy Spirit, and for the grace, You show me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.