UNPACK this...Fear and WorrySýnishorn

"Throw the Ball Down the Field" 

During the 2017 NFL season when the New York Jets were in rebuild mode with veteran quarterback and journeyman, Josh McCown, they struggled in their first game against the Bills. 

After McCown passed for 187 yards and averaged only 4.8 yards per attempt, ESPN.com wrote an article pointing out how the Jets needed to take some chances down the field. 

McCown acknowledged the need for change by recalling a conversation he had with his former Oakland Raiders boss, Al Davis, who told him to stop throwing the ball to the flat, and “throw the ball down the field.”

It’s difficult for NFL teams to win games if they never take any chances and “throw the ball down the field.” Likewise, it’s hard to live a life of faith if we only play it safe. If we want to follow Jesus, He asks us to get out of our comfort zone. He wants us to trust Him as we step out, take a leap of faith, and “throw the ball down the field.”

Too often we live with the fear of letting go and embracing the full life God has for us. Although there are unknowns when we start looking down the field for a big pass, these are opportunities for something awesome to happen.

In Acts 20:19-24, Paul inspires us to stop holding back and do whatever Jesus leads us to do. He says that he’s “done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears” and has endured trials by not shrinking back from telling both Jews and Greeks “the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God."

Paul goes on to explain that the Holy Spirit tells him “jail and suffering lie ahead” in Jerusalem, but admits "my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work...of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."

Today, let’s be encouraged by Paul to stop living safely and comfortably. Let's trust the power of the Holy Spirit to help us “throw the ball down the field” in obedience. 

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m sorry I take the easy way out and allow fear to win more than it should. Please give me the faith and strength needed to go for it, and pursue the big opportunities you have for me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.