UNPACK This...Being Patient With Ourselves and Each Otherნიმუში

NFL Draft Grades

After every NFL Draft, so-called "experts" grade each team's draft performance. Based on their opinions, they determine whether or not a team made the correct picks.

These analysts have limited knowledge and cannot predict the future, yet they still issue their grades. Plenty of teams will get a poor grade for a particular selection, but that player could be an absolute star and a great draft pick.

Experts should hold off on giving their draft grades until after a player's career has ended. Before judging whether or not a player was the right draft choice, they should see how that guy fits into a team's system, how the money affects him, and how healthy he remains. To hand out a simple grade is rather shortsighted.

We, too, can often assign grades or judge certain situations before seeing them unfold. With our limited perspective, we jump to conclusions and quickly determine that something is bad or won't work out.

We hand out "Fs" when we don't get the job we applied for, when we have to relocate to a new area, when a deal doesn't go through, or when we struggle with health and family situations.

At first glance, these scenarios appear terrible and not what we would choose for our lives. However, God sees things from a completely different view and knows how the "Fs" will fit together in His plan.

He can turn the worst "draft picks" around because the Bible promises this in Romans 8:28 (ESV): "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Just like draft experts don't see the big picture and don't know how each player will fit into a team's plan, we don't always realize how God will use everything for our good. Before handing out our grades, we must trust Him and be patient to see how His will unfolds.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for using all things for my good. Help me not to jump to conclusions and assume things will remain bad, but instead believe that You will use them for Your glory. Thank you for Your power and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.