Haven't Arrived

When NFL teams select a quarterback with the number 1 overall pick, they are counting on them to be a franchise quarterback. The reality is, though, they don’t come in on day 1 as a perfect QB. A coach is counting on potential, progress, and improvement throughout the course of the first season and throughout their entire career.

The Tennessee Titans are the latest team to draft a QB first overall as they selected Cam Ward a few months ago. The former Miami Hurricane isn’t the most hyped QB nationally, but the word out of Titans camp has been very encouraging.

His head coach, Brian Callahan, said recently, "He's been outstanding, he doesn't get rattled, he fights through…There's just a confidence in his demeanor that I have when he's in there that none of it is too big for him. He operates calmly and finds completions, and those are the things we worked on over training camp…He's done well in his limited showing, and I feel confident where he's at."

A few weeks ago, Callahan also provided an important perspective about his young QB, saying, “Cam certainly hasn’t arrived yet. We have a lot of things we’re still working on. I thought it was a good start for him, encouraging. It was productive, but there’s a couple of things we’re going to keep grinding on. Still working on getting the ball out fast, still working on the timing of it. There’s plenty of things we’re still working on with Cam.”

The key takeaway is that there is confidence in Cam's progress, along with a positive outlook for him and the team moving forward.

At the same time, there is an understanding that Cam hasn’t arrived yet and there is still work to do, and of course, he can’t settle, get cocky, or dwell on his success during training camp and the preseason. The challenges will only get tougher from here once the season begins. The hope for the Titans is that he continues to improve and shows growth throughout the entire season.

Just like coaches desire for their players to grow and improve throughout each football season, God has similar desires for His children. As we follow Jesus and spend time with Him, we will become more like Him.

Just like Cam Ward is becoming more and more like the player He was selected to be, we can become the person God calls us to be, as we invite Him to work in us and transform our character continually. When we are in Christ, our potential is great, giving us a very positive outlook for the future.

We should absolutely celebrate and praise God when we demonstrate growth and experience significant progress. However, we also remember we “haven’t arrived yet” and humbly acknowledge God is “still working on us.”

Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 (AMP), "I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]."

As we achieve some wins and are confident with our current position compared to where we used to be, we can't settle, get cocky, or dwell on those previous wins. Instead, we pursue constant improvement and growth all “season long” to become more like Jesus as we're honest and humble about the areas we're still “working on” with His help. We know we're "not playing perfect football."

Paul explains in Philippians 3:12-14 (AMP), "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

The Message translation paraphrases Philippians 3:12-14 like this: "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."

Today, let's be encouraged to keep pursuing Jesus, and as we do, we will become more and more like Him. We don't need to beat ourselves up or feel shame because we still have many ways to improve or grow.

Instead, with excitement, willingness, and a grace-driven effort, we trust that God is at work in us to continue refining, sanctifying, and transforming us on our journey with Christ.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for all the ways You've changed me. I know You aren't finished with me yet, so help me continue to put myself in a position to allow You to grow me and work in me. I desire to become more and more like Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.