Last year I wrote about Florida Gators quarterback, Kyle Trask, and the journey he took to becoming the starting quarterback at Florida. Today I want to revisit his story in light of how well he’s playing now.
Two games into the Gators’ season, after throwing six touchdowns and then four touchdowns during wins against Ole Miss and South Carolina, Trask is a Heisman Trophy candidate. His team is ranked 4th in the AP Top 25 and 3rd in the Coaches Poll, while his NFL draft stock is on the rise as well.
Last year as a redshirt junior, he took over when Feleipe Franks got injured which led to Trask making his first start (against Tennessee) since his freshman year in high school.
That’s right, throughout high school, he was the backup because he played behind future University of Houston quarterback, D’Eriq King.
However, previous Florida Gators head coach, Jim McElwain, took a risk and recruited Trask based on the film from when he played during “mop-up duty” and also how well he played at football camp.
Trask was a backup QB for almost seven years! While waiting for an opportunity, he continued to persevere and remained patient by not transferring somewhere else.
It’s hard to believe that a player this talented would be a backup for so long, but he eventually got his chance to lead his team…and now in his final college season he’s competing for the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship.
I believe Trask’s story can be an encouragement to us as we take a look at another “backup” found in the Bible. Joshua was with the “starter,” Moses, during the 40 years in the desert, but God called him to be the one that ultimately led the Israelites into the promised land.
When we look at the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho in the Old Testament, we can see a great example of trusting God’s plan and His timing.
God commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites to the walled and sinful city of Jerricho, so they would conquer and rebuild it. Joshua was given specific instructions and at the right time, the walls toppled to the ground.
Joshua 6:15-17 (NIV) says, “On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times.
"The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, ‘Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord…’”
Many of us today can probably relate to someone like Kyle Trask because we’ve been waiting for an opportunity…or our chance to be a “starter.”
Perhaps we feel like we’ve been wandering in the wilderness or maybe we don’t understand why God has asked us to do our own “march around the city seven times.”
To us, it doesn’t make sense and we just want the walls to come crashing down right now. We’re tired of being patient and we want God to provide something we’ve been waiting for.
Even though we might feel like we’re only playing during “mop-up duty,” God is using this season we’re in for His purposes and to prepare us for what’s next.
It’s a daily battle to trust in God’s timing and His unique plan while being patient for Him to reveal what’s on the other side of the delay. But we need to keep asking Him whether we are to keep persevering as a “backup”…or to “walk around the city a seventh time.”
When we hear His specific instructions, we must simply obey!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I don’t like having to wait for provision or an opportunity, but I trust in You and Your plan. I pray that I would be obedient to the instructions You’ve given me already and remain patient for whatever is next. I know You are good and loving and Your timing is best. I place my hope in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What aspects of these stories do you identify with the most?
What is an opportunity you have waited for in the past and how did God move in that situation?
What is something you’re waiting for right now?
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