What does it mean to be named Mr. Irrelevant? Well, it’s not a name most football players desire to own, nor is it a moniker of greatness. “Mr. Irrelevant” is the very last person chosen in the NFL draft with 256 players vying for a position on a major league football team. Most Mr. Irrelevants are cut from the roster the first week of training camp.
draft #256
The 2023 NFL draft’s Mr. Irrelevant was the quarterback, Brock Purdy. He was draft #256 and chosen by the San Francisco 49ers. So, was he cut from the 49ers the first week of training camp? Did he have to then begin a new career of packing groceries? No, not at all. He went on to survive training camp (quarterbacks have a better chance of survival than position players).
Through a series of medical situations with the first- and second-string quarterbacks, he was then called upon to start the next game. The miracle is that he not only started the game, but he also won it. From there he went on to win the next 5 of 6 games that San Francisco played! Purdy’s Cinderella performance didn’t even end there. He was able to lead his team into the Super Bowl where they performed gallantly, despite a narrow loss. Brock Purdy proved he wasn’t irrelevant. He had a purpose, a goal, and a desire to be an NFL quarterback. That drove him to become anything but irrelevant!
relevant vs irrelevant
“Irrelevant” means “not related to what is being considered and therefore not important”. The opposite, “relevant” means “closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered. Suitable to the current time, period, or circumstances.” Is it relevant for a parent to visit his child’s school to find out what he has been learning? Is it relevant to keep up with his child’s music choices and ask questions? Of course it is. As a matter of fact, it is expected of parents to stay relevant, so that they can have discussions with their children about current trends in education and entertainment.?
how am i relevant?
But what about us? What is our purpose, goal, and our desire within the church of Jesus Christ? How can I be relevant as part of the body of Christ? The Bible says in Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You become relevant by doing what God has called you to. Whether you are selected first or last, it doesn’t matter. You were selected for a calling. There is a place for each of us to touch the lives of people all around us, whether that means serving in a lunch line at Water Street, serving in the church, or just spending time with an elderly neighbor who doesn’t know Jesus.
what does god want me to do?
By obeying God in what He has for us to do makes us extremely relevant. Dan Paterson and Rian Roux write in their book Questioning Christianity, “So if you want to know what God wants you to do specifically, start by obeying him generally. Over time, you’ll look back and realize God’s hand was always guiding you along a magnificent path you could never have imagined on your own.”
what do you believe?
Brock Purdy was named “Mr. Irrelevant” and despite all the attention that title got him, he never believed it. What about you? Do you believe you’re irrelevant or do you believe that God has a purpose and plan for you? The answer may surprise you!
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