A couple of years ago, the Indianapolis Colts had a plan to hire Josh McDaniels as their new Head Coach, but he decided to stay in New England as their Offensive Coordinator.
With multiple teams interviewing McDaniels, in many ways he was the “prized” coaching candidate during that offseason. The Colts thought they landed their guy until he backed out at the last minute.
McDaniels was criticized for changing his mind, and the Colts were scrutinized for allowing the debacle to take place. Questions and comments such as these most likely swirled around the organization:
“Now what?”
“Are we going to have to settle?”
“I can’t believe we don’t get our first choice.”
“How could we let this happen?”
“It's time for a new plan.”
But amid the chaos, Indy forged ahead by hiring the Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator from the Philadelphia Eagles, Frank Reich.
As the QB coach during two of Peyton Manning’s best seasons, the hiring of Reich has worked out really well for the Colts. He has been a great fit because he understands both the city and the team.
Reich is more like Tony Dungy in the way he’s driven by faith and character…and how he desires to be a true leader of men, not just football players.
I believe Reich has been an amazing hire, and the Colts will continue to look back and be glad things fell through with McDaniels because the right guy is now in charge of their team.
In his first season, Reich led the team to the playoffs with a 10-6 record. Then in his second year, he kept the team on track even when star quarterback Andrew Luck abruptly retired right before the season.
They only won seven games but considering they lost their franchise QB, it was still a positive season. Now the team has added free-agent QB Philip Rivers, who Reich formerly coached as the offensive coordinator.
The Colts have a strong team heading into the 2020 season, and as we look back, I'm willing to say the Colts are better off with their original coaching plan falling through.
In our own lives, how many times have we looked back and been thankful that our “first plan” didn’t work out? Maybe we set our sights on a particular job promotion or a move to another state or a person we thought we’d marry but can see now that they weren’t the best plans for us after all.
When such things don’t go according to our plan, we need to be reminded that God is all-powerful and loving and always has His great purpose in mind.
Instead of letting disappointment, humiliation, fear, and anger take over when plans fall through, we can choose to seek the Lord and trust His plan will work much better than what we initially thought.
Proverbs 19:21 (NLT) encourages us with this truth: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Ephesians 1:11 (AMP) tells us, "In Him also we have received an inheritance , having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will..."
None of us like to be rejected or put in a place where we turn to “Plan B.” However, when we acknowledge God’s goodness, sovereignty, and faithfulness and allow His glory to shine, we can easily see how the new plan was the best all along.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for all the times You've come through in amazing ways – even when I thought situations should have gone differently. I trust You and know that Your plans and purposes are much better than mine. Please help me be patient and not get discouraged when my initial plan falls through. I know You are good and faithful. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What are some situations you look back on and see how you're glad the plan fell through?
How do you normally respond when your original plan doesn't work out?
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