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A New Draft Brings a New Start

Each year, the NFL Draft brings hope to players, GMs, and fans. Players want to succeed with their new team…GMs want players who fit their team well…and fans want their team to make good selections.

Unfortunately, when we look back at the NFL Draft’s history, we see failures, misses, and picks that don’t always pan out, and GMs and franchises worry they’ll repeat their past mistakes when the next draft rolls around.

But, a new draft is a great opportunity for a fresh start. Mistakes from the past can be lessons learned, and the results don’t have to be the same.

Teams under the leadership of a new regime are especially given a chance to start over and not let the past negatively affect their choice when they’re on the clock.

Thankfully, today is a new day for all of us. Even if we have a history of making bad mistakes or have previously chosen a pattern of sin, our next pick can be different.

When we receive new life in Christ, we’re no longer the person we used to be. We don’t have to have the same results or repeat a pattern of sin. We’ve been given the power through Christ to do things differently!

As followers of Jesus, we’re given a whole new outlook on life, a new regime has taken over, and we’re empowered to be better than who we used to be or who we thought we were destined to become.

We’re given a chance to start over and don’t have to let the past negatively affect our next “draft pick” when we find ourselves on the clock to make a key decision.

While we move past shame and rest in God’s grace and love, let's determinedly choose to embrace the powerful hope and assurance God gives us in 2 Peter 1:4:

“And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I place my hope and trust in You so I don’t fall into the same failures as I’ve had in the past. Please help me live a Holy life by following You and relying on Your power. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

For more sports and faith devotionals, visit unpackinit.com.