NFL free agency is a crucial element to the offseason. Deals are made left and right, and huge decisions are on the line. Some well-known players leave their former teams to sign elsewhere, while other key players re-sign and stay put.

The job of an NFL GM is fascinating. Just by having a taste of it from Fantasy Football and the Madden video game (okay, maybe not!), I respect all that goes into it. The key to a GM’s success is deciding who to build the team around and making sure to establish the right foundation.

We know the Patriots have had success because they’ve developed their team around Tom Brady year after year. When a team has a cornerstone like Brady, it’s easier for everyone else to fall into place.

Usually, a team looks to have their cornerstones at quarterback, middle linebacker, and one player from each of the offensive and defensive lines. If these positions are strong, a team typically builds a solid foundation that can withstand challenges and really grow.

As we think about teams making free agency decisions based on their foundation, let’s also consider how this translates to our own lives. Is our life built on a solid or shaky foundation? What or who is our cornerstone?

Are we making temporary or eternal decisions? Are we building a life based on worldly accomplishments and pleasures that don’t last…or are we trusting Jesus Christ as our everlasting cornerstone?

Jesus explains this concept in Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV): “Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

“And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Today, let’s take an honest look at what foundation we want our lives built upon. I hope we choose to stand on God’s Word, His will, and His love…and remember Jesus is the cornerstone who gets us through the storms of life.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me evaluate my life and reveal to me where I’m building a shaky foundation. I pray that my decisions and trust would be centered around Jesus so that I can have a strong foundation and withstand the challenges that are sure to come my way. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.