The NFL Draft is scheduled to take place in the next few weeks and teams like the Dolphins, Chargers, and Bengals are all expected to draft a quarterback with a top pick.
Each team is looking for a franchise quarterback and doing their due diligence to figure out which prospects have the best chance to succeed at the next level.
Unfortunately, predicting which college quarterbacks will translate and adapt to the NFL is difficult. The quarterbacks taken first don't necessarily become the most successful QBs in the draft class and there's always a risk in getting the wrong guy.
In 2012, Brandon Weeden and Brock Osweiler were taken ahead of Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, and Kirk Cousins. In 2017, the Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky ahead of Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes.
On the flipside, not taking a quarterback early is risky because then a team might miss out on the opportunity to get the right player to turn around their franchise.
General managers also make decisions on risky individual players who may have had only one good college season...or their play declined from year to year...or they have injury concerns.
GMs consider this information and have to determine if they want to take big swings on players. Going out on a limb to select someone with high upside requires taking a big chance on them.
On ESPN.com today, there is an article breaking down the eight quarterback prospects who are expected to go in the top 100 picks during the upcoming draft.
What got my attention was the headline on the front page: “NFL Draft QB Projections: Love is Risky.”
One of the eight quarterbacks is Jordan Love from Utah State. Scouts like his arm talent and smooth release, and yet, last year he threw 17 interceptions and only 20 touchdowns.
Love is ranked 22nd overall according to Scouts Inc., but a team will be taking a chance on a player who showed promise early and then declined during his final year of college.
While considering the risk of taking a QB in the NFL draft and viewing the headline, “Love is Risky,” I'd like to use this as an excuse for unpacking how “love” is risky in our own lives.
When it comes to pursuing romantic love, we risk rejection, being hurt, and not being accepted once we reveal our true selves.
When it comes to loving friends and neighbors, we risk not being loved in return and being let down after taking a big chance on them.
Oftentimes, we’ll hold back from deep and authentic relationships because we’re not willing to risk being vulnerable or transparent. We’re also not willing to make the necessary sacrifices.
However, Jesus lays out the importance of loving others in John 15:12-13 (AMP): “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to lay down his own life for his friends.”
Paul also challenges us in Romans 12:9-10 (NLT): "Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."
Although it’s risky to love, to put ourselves out there, and to love others without expecting anything in return, we'll be able to do it when we understand God's love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP) tells us to "Let everything you do be done in love ."
Today, let’s be encouraged to “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God" (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
God is love, He first loved us, and Jesus sums up all of the commandments into loving God and loving people.
Each of us must decide to accept the truth that the God of the universe actually loves us individually and loves us enough to send Jesus to pay the price for our sin.
It may be risky to believe that in faith and love Him in response, but let’s face it, it’s riskier not to! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You see me for who I really am and yet You still love me. Help me to deeply believe that and allow that truth to empower me to love others as You’ve called me to. I pray I wouldn’t let the risks or the fear stop me from giving and receiving love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Do you have a tougher time giving or receiving love?
What risks hold you back and make it tougher?
Why is understanding God’s love for us so critical?
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