The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to host their third straight AFC Championship as the Buffalo Bills come to town on Sunday. Before we turn our attention to this juicy matchup, I want to look back at the defining play in the Chiefs' win over the Browns last weekend.
Following an epic run by backup quarterback, Chad Henne, the Chiefs faced a fourth down and inches around midfield with just over a minute left in the game.
They had a 22-17 lead, and if they converted the first down they could run out the clock and move on to the AFC Championship.
While many coaches would have punted in that situation or called something less risky like a run play, the Chiefs not only went for it on 4th down but had Chad Henne throw a pass from the shotgun formation. In dramatic fashion, he was able to complete it to wide receiver, Tyreek Hill!
CBS’s game analyst, Tony Romo, went nuts with excitement over this incredible play as he shouted, “Only Andy Reid gets in shotgun on fourth-and-an-inch and throws the ball with his backup quarterback! There’s no way! He shocked everybody!”
Kevin Patra on NFL.com also gave the Chief’s head coach lots of respect writing, “Reid's offensive acumen is among the best ever, but his best coaching attribute might be building confidence in every man on the roster from 1 to 53.
"Reid didn't coach scared when Henne entered the game. Nope, he called passes for the veteran quarterback. Even after a horrific deep interception from Henne, Reid still put the ball in the QB's hand on the final drive.”
While considering all that went into this wild game (especially after star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, went out with an injury), I want to focus on Andy Reid.
This win wasn’t about how great the Chiefs players are, but rather how great he is as a coach. He is the one that empowered, equipped, and instilled confidence in his team...even a backup QB!
Yes, the players went out and executed amazingly well, but he put them in a position to win and set them up to do what needed to be done.
Andy Reid shows that he believes in his players and gives them opportunities in big moments to do something unbelievable. He knows what they are capable of because he has coached and prepared them to execute when it’s time. This allows the Chiefs to coach and play fearlessly with faith and confidence.
The parallel for us today is an important one to grasp as followers of Jesus. God doesn’t believe in us or trust us because of how great we are, but rather He uses us and enables us to accomplish His will because He’s the One that empowers, equips, and instills confidence in us.
He is the One who is great and sets us up, prepares us, and puts us in a position to go out and execute with the spiritual gifts we need.
1 Corinthians 12:6 (AMP) explains, “And there are ways of working , but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers .”
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) says, ”By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.”
As we live this life for Him and with Him, He’ll “call plays” that may appear risky or shocking to everyone watching, but He sees things we don’t and has confidence in us because He is in us.
Even if we previously “turned the ball over,” He’ll still give us another shot to “throw it on 4th down.” We can go for it fearlessly with faith and confidence because of Him.
Today, let's be encouraged by this wonderful blessing found in Hebrews 13:21 (NLT): “...may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.”
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, my faith and confidence are in You because of Your greatness. Thank you for allowing me to know You and thank you for empowering and equipping me through Your Spirit to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
How would you describe your confidence and where it comes from?
In what ways has God equipped you to do incredible things?
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