It's NFL Draft week and all eyes are on the Arizona Cardinals sitting at the top of the draft with the first pick. The team in this position affects the decisions of many other teams, so there is great anticipation as to what they’re going to do with their draft pick.
Arizona is on the clock and their choice will also have huge ramifications for all of those involved. The GM and coach, always linked to a top draft pick, have to choose wisely because their jobs depend on it.
Having drafted QB, Josh Rosen, in the first round last year, if the Cardinals draft QB, Kyler Murray, first overall on Thursday, what will the ramifications be for both players? Will Rosen get traded before or after the draft...or will the Cardinals trade the pick and keep Rosen?
Another way to look at the Cardinals' situation is to recognize how many opportunities they have in front of them because they hold the first pick in the draft. They can pass on Murray, but keep the pick and take any player they want. The first pick provides them tons of freedom, power, and the ability to strengthen their team.
This week, we will hear countless conversations surrounding the Cardinals and the numerous opportunities and eventual ramifications linked to their first pick.
In unpacking this today, there is a parallel to what we celebrated on Easter (and today). Many of us heard the saying, "He is risen," which is wonderful news and a strong statement about Jesus and how He's no longer in a tomb.
This isn't just a cute saying to post on social media during Easter, but rather the truth that “He is risen” means there are huge opportunities and ramifications for each of us. We're in a position to decide what to do with this "first overall pick" with incredible opportunities and ramifications in front of us.
Will we make Him our first choice or trade the opportunity away and go another direction and deal with the ramifications? Will we pass on His grace or will we choose to bring Him into our lives?
Because Jesus is risen, freedom, power, and strength are made available to us...and now we have the opportunity to receive His mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life. We also have the opportunity to experience hope, joy, peace, and comfort.
Ephesians 1:18-20 (AMP) says, "And that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened , so that you will know and cherish the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power is in us who believe.
"These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places...”
The same power that resulted in us now saying "He is risen" is living in us as followers of Jesus. Let's embrace all of the opportunities to partake in His goodness.
When we make Him first in our lives, we no longer face the ramifications we once did because of our sin. Let's thank Him for that and remember He is alive...and so are we!
I'm Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the death and resurrection of Jesus. I'm so grateful to now have the opportunity for eternal life...and for the grace and power available to me every day. It's in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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