As football fans, we love long touchdown passes and huge open field runs, and especially enjoy watching big plays that make exciting highlights following the game. But interestingly, big plays aren’t always necessary to consistently win in the NFL.
Many elite teams implement the strategy of having long drives that include a balanced attack of run plays and short passes. QBs throw short dump-off passes to their running backs and quick passes to their slot receivers only a few yards down the field to pick up first downs.
This game plan allows a team to set the tone by controlling the clock with long drives that include small play after small play. Overall, their slow, long drives still end in touchdowns but allow them to wear down the opponent’s defense and provide less time on the clock for their opponents to have opportunities to score.
The small play after small play approach doesn’t provide the most dramatic highlights, but it does prove to work.
Drew Brees has been able to implement this over the years and on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints jumped all over the Bucs early with a 9-play 65-yard scoring drive.
Brees ended up throwing four touchdowns to four different receivers while 12 different receivers caught a pass. Interestingly, those four receiving touchdowns were only 14 yards, 7 yards, 12 yards, and 3 yards.
Their one rushing touchdown was only for one yard. Overall, the Saints dominated the Bucs on the scoreboard (38-3), time of possession (38:38-19:22), and first downs (27-13).
Brees finished with 222 yards completing 26/32 passes and averaging 6.9 yards per completion. Their win wasn't about big offensive plays, but rather one successful small play after another.
So what if we adopted this approach in our own lives? Instead of getting caught up in chasing the big touchdown plays that happen quickly and we get noticed for, what if we consistently did the small things well?
By taking a step by step approach instead of always looking for the long throw down the field, these smaller plays can actually lead to greater results.
When we live an obedient life by faithfully doing a lot of little things for the Lord each day, we keep taking steps forward. They might not be drastic changes overnight, but when we pick up a few yards at a time, we can slowly take steps toward transformation.
Job declares in the Bible, “My feet have carefully followed His steps; I have kept His ways and not turned aside” (Job 23:11; AMP).
We may wait to experience victory and answered prayer, but in the perceived delay, God can powerfully work in us one day at a time. When we alleviate the pressure of always having to do something spectacular and fast, we can focus on taking up our cross daily and following Jesus one yard at a time.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) compares how a lamp just lights up a little part of the path at a time to the way God leads us: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Today, let’s make wise choices and moment by moment decisions to do the little things that God is calling us to do. Let’s take this journey of faith one step at a time and remember that ”The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in His way” (Psalm 37:23; ESV).
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray You’d help me stay committed to the little things each day and be willing to rest in You as I take one step at a time. Help me be patient when things take longer than I’d like…and to value small choices of obedience as I trust You with the results. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What does it look like for you to do the small things each day?
Have you had an experience where you benefited from the "longer drive"?
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