UNPACK This... Rams Vs. PatriotsSample

Running Through Open Doors  

Despite Todd Gurley's recent injuries, overall he's had a couple of incredible seasons as the Rams’ star running back and could have a bounce-back game in this year’s Super Bowl.

When Gurley is healthy and playing well, holes open up and he knows which direction to go. He not only has the patience to wait for the right hole to develop, but the speed to burst through the opening once it’s there. Playing with confidence and smoothness, Gurley gets past defenders and into the end zone with ease.

This is a great illustration of what following Jesus looks like. In many ways, He’s like our offensive line – opening holes for us to run through with confidence and ease. Patience and wisdom are required to know the right hole or door to enter, but when we seek and abide in Him, amazing doors open for us. As the “defenders” are pushed aside, a clear path is provided to freely run into the end zone.

Of course, Todd Gurley still gets tackled and struggles at times, but when he’s consistently running forward and clearly seeing the field, he finds the holes that allow him to thrive.

In order for us to see the doors that Jesus opens for us, we have to hear His voice. He reminds us of this in John 10:27 (AMP): “The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.”

Jesus invites us to follow His ways and do the will of God. He wants us to run with freedom through His clear openings. Even when Paul was in prison, he trusted God to open doors for him to share the Gospel. 

In Colossians 4:3 (AMP), Paul asked others to join him in prayer: “At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned.”

Today, let’s ask God to open doors for us to be used by Him…and for clarity to know which direction to go.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many doors You’ve opened for me. Help me be patient and wait for the openings to develop so I can move ahead confidently trusting in You. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.