As the 2017 NFL Draft comes to an end, many people will remember it for the big Mitchell Trubisky trade. 

The Chicago Bears were so convinced they wanted him as their quarterback, they were willing to trade the No.3 pick…a third-round pick…a fourth-round pick…and next year’s third-round pick to the 49ers – all so they could move up one spot and get Trubisky.

From the Bears’ perspective, they counted the cost and gave up what was required in order to guarantee Trubisky would be their quarterback.

Sacrificing their other draft picks didn’t prevent them from making sure the former UNC QB would be wearing a Bears uniform this season.

Many draft analysts thought the Bears gave up too much and questioned how they could surrender so many valuable picks. But Chicago demonstrated a bold conviction to go after what they needed, instead of worrying about what they were letting go.

In our own lives, especially as followers of Jesus, there is a need to surrender, sacrifice, and let go of something in order to receive what’s most important.

People may criticize us from the outside looking in (questioning that we’re giving up too much), but we must stick to our convictions and boldly follow Jesus.

There is a story in the Bible about the “rich young ruler” who came to Jesus as someone who obeyed the commandments, but was still wondering what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.

Jesus told him, in Matthew 19:21-22 (NLT), “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

This man wasn’t willing to make the sacrifice needed for Jesus to be his ultimate prize, and placed a higher value on all of his possessions. 

Jesus explains in Matthew 19:29 (NLT), “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.”

 I’m not sure if Mitchell Trubisky will be worth everything the Bears gave up, but I do respect their willingness to do whatever it took to get him.

On the other hand, I know that Jesus is worth following and each of us must consider giving up what’s needed for His sake. We can trust He’s the ultimate prize worth sacrificing for!

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank you for the eternal life and salvation that is offered to me. I pray I’d have a willingness to give up anything You ask me to so that I can receive Jesus and all that is available through Him. Please help me not to value anything more than You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.