The New York Jets drafted quarterback, Zach Wilson, second overall in this year’s NFL Draft with high expectations he can help turn the team around.
The reality is, it’s not going to happen overnight and the Jets are 0-2 after an ugly loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Wilson struggled as he threw four interceptions in his first ten pass attempts.
On the positive side, Wilson plays with confidence and willingly throws the ball down the field for the big play. However, at this point, that doesn’t seem to be the best approach for him and the Jets – especially considering he had three completions to the Patriots’ defense and only three completions to his teammates in the first half.
Head coach, Robert Saleh, hopes Wilson learns from the tough outing and made this comment after the game:
“It’s OK to play a boring game of football. That’s really it. He’s an electric dude. He’s competitive…and he wants to win so bad, but sometimes it’s OK to be boring. That’s probably the biggest lesson he can take out of this one.”
As fans, we love the dynamic quarterbacks who can make the big plays, and they, of course, want to be the guys who produce in major ways. But sometimes they can be too aggressive and force bad throws – specifically, rookie quarterbacks who aren’t prepared yet for the high-powered passes.
I think in life we, too, want to make the big plays and be the one who produces in major ways. We may want something so badly or desire for life to be better and more exciting.
However, we have to realize that we may not be prepared yet to handle what’s required to “throw it down the field” and it’s unwise for us to be overly aggressive and force things to happen.
Coach Saleh’s words, “sometimes it’s OK to be boring,” can be an encouragement to us today. Although there are seasons when God calls us to do something big and step out in faith, there are times when we need to embrace the “boring” or “the simple life.”
We don’t always have to chase the “highlight play” or force “throws to receivers” that aren’t really open. Instead of complicating our lives, we may need to be patient and choose what’s simple or boring.
Many NFL teams have won over the years by playing what many considered a boring brand of football, but sometimes that’s the most effective.
Likewise, we don’t have to feel pressured to always do more, be more, get noticed, and do big things for God because ultimately He’s more concerned with the condition of our hearts. We can remain at peace with a consistent faith in Him rather than being restless and overeager to be a “superstar” in our own strength.
Proverbs 15:16 (MSG) tells us, “A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 (AMP) encourages us with these words: “But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. For we have brought nothing into the world, so [it is clear that] we cannot take anything out of it, either. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
God is powerful enough to use our simple lives that some would consider “boring,” and do remarkable things for His glory. He’s asking us to live lives of contentment, obedience, love, and worship with our eyes fixed on Him.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to live a victorious life in You. Help me to embrace the simple life of daily walking with You. My heart is open for You to do extraordinary things in me and through me as You see fit. I trust that You may prepare me to do something big, but either way, I desire to remain in Your will living a surrendered life of obedience. I’m content with however You choose to use my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
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In what ways have you embraced the simple life with God?
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In what ways do you struggle to remain at peace and content with the life God has for you right now?
