Daniels Savors the Moment

A few short months ago, former Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels seemed like a long shot to make an NFL roster. At the time, the undrafted free agent was the fourth-string signal caller on Tampa Bay’s roster, meaning he was squarely on the outside looking in when it came to making the active roster.

But fast forward to Thursday night, and Daniels not only suited up on the sidelines for the Buccaneers, but he also started under center and led the team to a surprising 24-16 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys. 

Filling in for injured starter Baker Mayfield, Daniels was remarkably efficient against the Dallas defense, completing 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. 

An ESPN front-page article notes that Daniels is savoring Thursday night’s win over the Cowboys, the same way he’s savored every moment up to this point.

Daniels said after the win, "I mean, it means everything. Six months ago, if you would've told me that my first win would've been on a Thursday night, Prime football game, I don't know what I would've told you. So obviously take it all in, like I keep saying, through all the highs and lows, the bads and the goods. Go through every single emotion because, at the end of the day, it makes you better and prepares you for any situation that comes down the line.”

It is hard to imagine Daniels' perspective not playing a significant role in helping him perform admirably when he was called into duty early in his first professional season. 

From his comments, Daniels seems to have learned to savor and be grateful for the situations he encounters during his football career, whether high or low. Rather than grumbling or becoming depressed when things don't go his way, he has recognized that the "downs" he experiences help him grow and become a better player. 

As followers of Jesus, we know we will experience a myriad of emotions as we move through life's highs and lows. The key for each of us is to learn how to savor and be thankful for everything that we experience along the way.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) tells us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Many of us rarely think that rejoicing always and giving thanks in all circumstances is actually a command we are expected to obey. Being grateful no matter what we go through in life is not optional; it is required. 

Learning to savor and be thankful in all circumstances benefits our spiritual life and helps us avoid many potential pitfalls.

When things are going well in life, we can be tempted to think that we’re ultimately responsible for the positive outcomes that we’re getting. If we aren’t careful, we can become proud and arrogant, failing to give God His proper credit and glory for all He has accomplished.

James 1:17 (NASB) reminds us, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Since every good thing ultimately comes from God, it's improper and sinful not to give thanks and rejoice when good things happen in our lives. 

1 Corinthians 4:7b (NIV) asks, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”

The obvious response to those rhetorical questions is that everything we have received comes from God, so we should never boast as though we are supremely responsible for life's positive outcomes.

On the flip side, we're also commanded to be thankful and rejoice when things don't go the way we hoped. 

Though we often may not think this way, even the difficult circumstances that we encounter in our lives are ultimately good gifts from the Lord that are intended to grow us in our faith and make us more like Jesus. 

James 1:2-4 (ESV) says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Just as Jalon Daniels savored the difficult times he experienced because he realized they were making him better, so we too can learn to rejoice and be thankful during tough times, because we know they help us grow and mature. 

Today, let's make it our goal to be people who are marked by joy and gratitude. It’s easy when we consider how Jesus has saved us, redeemed us, and given us new life. Let's also continually offer our thanks and praise to God, recognizing that all the things we experience in life which come from Him are meant to help conform us to the image of Christ. 

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many good gifts You have graciously given me. Please help me stay filled with gratitude and joy for all You have done in my life. Thank You that You are with me even in difficult times, working all things together for my good. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.