The New York Jets are in for a tough season, as they’ve stripped down their roster and are now in full rebuild mode. However, they decided to go with a veteran at the quarterback position and journeyman, Josh McCown, is tasked to lead their offense.

They struggled in their first game against the Bills, with McCown passing for 187 yards and averaging only 4.8 yards per attempt. An article written on ESPN.com points out how the Jets realize they need to take some chances down the field, and not be so cautious. The safe throws won’t give them many opportunities for a big play.

McCown acknowledged the need for change when he recently recalled a conversation he once had in the parking lot with his former boss, Al Davis when playing for the Oakland Raiders.

This is the dialogue he remembers having with Al Davis:

Davis: “The second quarter, you threw the ball to the flat. Why did you throw to the flat? Who’s telling you to throw to the flat?”

McCown: “That’s part of my read. On second-and-1, I was just looking to get a first down.”

Davis: “You had [John] Madsen on a corner route.”

McCown: “Oh.”

Davis: “We’re the Rai-dahs. Throw the ball down the field.”

The window went up…the Lincoln drove off…and McCown never forgot that memorable exchange.

This is a great story for us today because Davis’ encouragement to Josh can also be an encouragement to us. It’s difficult for an NFL team to win games if they never take any chances and “throw the ball down the field.” Likewise, it’s hard to live a life of faith if we only play it safe.

If we truly want to follow Jesus, He’s going to ask us to do some tough stuff that is out of our comfort zone. He wants us to trust Him as we step out, take leaps of faith, and “throw the ball down the field.”

Too often we live with the fear of letting go and embracing the full life God has for us. There is a lot of unknown when we start looking down the field for a big pass, but that’s where the opportunities lie for something special to happen.

In the Bible, Paul inspires us to stop holding back, and be open to doing whatever Jesus leads us to do. His great example of not shrinking back or holding onto his life too tightly is recorded in Acts 20:19-24 (NLT):

“I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

Today, let’s consider the powerful life we can live if we deeply trust the Holy Spirit and don’t fear to suffer. Imagine the amazing things we can do if we give our whole life to Jesus, and stop living safely and comfortably…willing to “throw the ball down the field.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m sorry I take the easy way out and allow fear to win more than it should. Please give me the faith and strength needed to really go for it, and pursue the big opportunities you have for me. I pray I wouldn’t hold myself back by choosing comfort over obedience. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.