Yesterday, with seven seconds left on the clock, down by five, and on their own 31-yard line, the Dolphins looked like they were going to lose to the Patriots once again. However, instead of attempting the hail mary, the Dolphins pulled off "The Miami Miracle" by running a hook and lateral that resulted in a dramatic touchdown with time expiring.
The thrilling play involved Ryan Tannehill throwing to Kenny Stills who lateraled the ball to DeVante Parker who pitched it to Kenyan Drake. Drake then found the opening and flew past the Patriots' defenders straight into the end zone!
When watching football every week, we often see a similar play with teams attempting to pitch and lateral as a last-ditch effort to win the game.
But because teams aren’t usually able to pull it off by finding the open player who has a lane to the end zone, it was especially exciting to see the play finally work...and against the Patriots!
The 69-yard touchdown became the NFL’s longest play from scrimmage to win a game with no time left on the clock since at least the 1970 merger.
What stands out to me about this play is how once Drake possessed the ball, the holes opened up and he just had to follow the path into the end zone. Of course, defenders were after him, but once he realized the way he needed to go, he went for it.
The direction Drake needed to run toward became clear, and victory followed. There's a way that play is designed to work, and the Dolphins followed the openings they were given.
How this plan clicked for the Dolphins reminds me of what it’s like to find the right path God wants us to take.
Oftentimes, we attempt to execute our own plans (resulting in a fumble and a broken play), but when we open our eyes to see the field clearly, wait for His openings, and follow the designed path He has for us, we experience victory in our lives.
Even though there will always be defenders in the way, when we stay on the path that's been opened for us, we’ll be able to run right past them into the end zone.
In order for us to execute the “hook and lateral” plays in life, we have to see where to run. As Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
In order for plans to click, we must have faith that God knows what’s best...and boldness to go for it once we see where we need to go.
Today, let's choose to pray this continually, “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You” (Psalm 25:4-5 - NLT).
I'm Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, oftentimes I don't know which path to take and it feels like things are caving in around me. Please show me the direction to go and give me the boldness to go through Your openings with faith. I trust in Your leading and guiding. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Comments