Devotional Reading Plan

Waiting For A New Role

The San Francisco 49ers are on their way to the Super Bowl thanks to their dominant defense and successful rushing attack.

Beating the Packers in the conference championship with 42 running plays and only eight passing plays, former fourth-stringer, Raheem Mostert, was the star scoring four touchdowns and accumulating 220 yards on the ground.

He rushed for the greatest number of yards in a 49ers’ postseason game and his four touchdowns were the most in an NFC championship game and the second-most in playoff history.

Mostert is an easy guy to root for when hearing he persevered when cut by six NFL teams during his first two seasons before signing with San Francisco. Despite initially being a fourth-stringer, this year he experienced a breakthrough with 772 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Offensive lineman, Joe Staley, said this about Mostert’s character: “The guy works harder than anybody. He’s been patient, never complaining about his role. This is what happens when you accept your role on the team and you don’t worry about stats. You have a moment like this.”

By embracing his role on special teams without complaint, Mostert eventually received an opportunity for an increased role as running back and made the most of it. For many of us today, our current role may be different from the one we want, but we have the choice to either complain or embrace it.

We may desire to be the boss (“starter”) at work or wish we had the role of parent or spouse. As we wait until we step into an increased role, we can be encouraged by Mostert who worked hard and didn’t complain as he prepared to become a contributing running back. If we choose to remain hopeful, steady, and positive, our opportunity can change in an instant too.

Philippians 2:14 gives us this important challenge: ”In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing…”

When we complain, we reveal a lack of trust in God and begin to think He’s not working in our lives. Today, let’s be encouraged that when our desires remain rooted in Him and our hearts are aligned with His will, our current role is preparing us for a breakthrough to the next.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for complaining about my current role in life. Help me embrace what I’m doing now by being more trusting, thankful, and satisfied in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.