And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:30
On April 27, the National Football League (NFL) began its annual draft (officially) the Player Selection Meeting for 2023. This meeting will last several days during which each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order relative to its record in the previous year. From their assigned position, each team can either select a player or trade its position to another team for a player or players, for other draft positions, or a combination of the two.
The players who get drafted first usually are rewarded with large (multimillion dollars) contracts and are instantly viewed as stars in the making. This prestige and acknowledgment come with a lot of pressure for these young men who are expected to display leadership skills that are beyond their age. The sobering reality is that only 16.7% of those drafted into the NFL will have a successful career. The length of that career, however, is just 3.3 years, on average.
Thankfully, God does not use a draft to determine those who will join His team. According to Romans 8:29-30, we were drafted into God’s kingdom team before we were born. The apostle Paul makes it clear that we were predestined, called, justified, and glorified through Christ Jesus. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).
You and I may never get drafted into a professional team or get selected by a Fortune 500 corporation. However, we can be at peace knowing that our worth does not depend on earthly recognition. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, every believer is drafted into God’s heavenly team. Our success in that team is guaranteed because the Holy Spirit, our spiritual coach, will equip and empower us to inherit eternal life.
Many of the young men who were drafted last night will have fame and fortune. Whereas they are, deservedly, acknowledged as winners and rewarded for their hard work, their dream can easily turn into a nightmare because of physical injuries. Then they are released by their teams and are forced to live ordinary lives like everyone else. Not so for those who are in God’s team. Our selection is for eternity. No one who is selected by God will ever be let go. We may be troubled on every side, yet not distressed. When we are perplexed, we don’t have to be in despair because Jesus guaranteed our eternal position and selection through His death and resurrection.
What then shall we say for those of us who will never get drafted by a professional team? “In all things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:36).” When the world makes us feel unimportant, we should be reminded that before God formed us in our mother’s womb He knew us, and before we were born, He consecrated us (Jeremiah 1:5). So then, “see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so, we are (1John 3:1).”
Jesus commanded believers to go throughout the world and tell everyone about the gift of salvation He offers to those who believe in Him. The draft for Heaven’s team is still ongoing. Jesus has already paid the price for anyone to be selected. All they have to do is confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord, and they will be drafted by the Father to be in His kingdom with Him forevermore.
Questions for Personal Reflection
What does it mean to be predestined and called by God?
How can someone be drafted into God’s heavenly team?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for drafting me into your heavenly team. When the world tries to make me feel insignificant, please remind me that I am precious in your sight. Help me to share the good news of the gospel and let the unsaved know that they too can be drafted into your team by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.