The Philadelphia Eagles pulled out a clutch win last night as they defeated the New York Giants 22-21. Carson Wentz led the Eagles to two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and Philly’s defense forced a fumble in the closing moment to secure the win.
However, the most talked-about play today is the one involving Giants quarterback, Daniel Jones. We've probably all seen it by now, even if we didn't catch the game, but Jones had an incredible 80-yard run that ended just shy of the end zone because he tripped on his own feet.
He was flying down the field and according to Next Gen Stats, he reached 21.23 MPH during his run which was the fastest speed by any QB carrying the ball since 2018. It was also the longest run by a QB who didn’t score on the play since at least 1975.
While the play was happening, Fox broadcaster Joe Buck described Jones’ run like this: “...Takes off and he is gone...Trying to stay upright and he trips...Absolutely all alone and he trips.”
Believe it or not, Jones was going too fast for himself and fell at the 8-yard line. When asked about the play following the game, he said, “I tried to run faster than I was running and I got caught up."
Although it's hard not to laugh when you watch the play, his body just couldn’t keep up with how fast he was trying to go and he lost balance and fell in a memorable fashion.
There's a valuable parallel worth unpacking today when considering how Jones was running too fast. In our own lives, we can take off in different directions when we pursue our goals, visions, desires, and “end zones.”
It’s great when we go for it and go all out, but oftentimes we get ahead of ourselves or “get caught up” going so fast that our body (or soul or people around us) can’t take it.
We can make the mistake of not slowing down and losing our balance, which can easily cause us to trip and fall. We believe we have to go faster and faster but do so to our detriment.
The other part of this is how Joe Buck’s choice of words, “...Takes off and he is gone...Trying to stay upright and he trips...Absolutely all alone and he trips,” can often be similar to someone watching and describing our own lives play out.
This reminds me of the times when we try to do things apart from God, and attempt to do something on our own or in our own strength.
We try to get ahead of God because we don't want to slow down or wait for Him. While running faster and faster and all alone, we can easily trip.
This story in Exodus 33:12-17 (NLT) shows us an important approach from Moses that's worth learning and applying:
"One day Moses said to the Lord, 'You have been telling me, "Take these people up to the Promised Land." But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, "I know you by name, and I look favorably on you." If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.'
"The Lord replied, 'I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.'
"Then Moses said, 'If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.'
"The Lord replied to Moses, 'I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.'”
Today, let’s be encouraged to go forward in life at a pace aligned with God’s timing, plan, and presence. Let’s be willing to slow down and wait for Him...always making sure we’re running with God, not away from Him.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I don't want to move forward in life alone, but want to remain in Your presence. I struggle to slow down and remain patient, so please help me trust in Your timing. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is your experience going too fast without slowing down?
How would you describe the difference between moving forward in God’s presence vs. doing something alone without God?
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