The Draft

Mainly due to our son Brad’s interest through the years, I too watched, listened to, and read about the NFL draft during the first weekend in May.  Although I in no way claim to be an expert, or even mildly intelligent on the matter, it was interesting to make some observations along the way.  Fans are very interested in who is selected first in the first round, especially if he is from your alma mater.  If a trade for position has not occurred, the first man is chosen by the team with the worst record in hopes that he will help their team make a big comeback during the upcoming season.  Some players were selected to the team that they aspired to play for while others went to a team because they were that team’s choice during the round.  There are a few players who will be playing with teammates from their former university; some are playing for teams in their home state while others are playing for a team they may not have considered before.  Although each team added a few new players, it will take more than just those men to produce a winning season.  One man does not make a team.  Teamwork is the name of the game.  Unfortunately, not every player, with hopes and dreams of playing profession football, was chosen.  Now that the hype is over, the real test is what the players will do with the opportunities they have been given.

Unlike the draft, God’s team is chosen in a very different way.

* God offers and gives each of us a choice of which team we want to be on.

* It’s because of what Jesus did, being our sacrifice for our sins and rising on the third day, that we can choose to be on God’s team.

* God’s team is not limited to being built during the first weekend in May.  The offer can be accepted any second of the day, in any month, in any year.

* When we mess up, we do not have to worry about being traded to another team or not participating anymore.

* God doesn’t have a limit on how many can be on His team.

* God’s team will always be the winner.

Each day, whether in the NFL or in everyday life, we choose what we will do with the opportunities we are given.  The team we join will make a difference both now and for eternity. 

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:21

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Ephesians 2:8

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:4-7