God's Coaching #2 - The One Year Sports Devotions for Kids
God's Coaching #2
The game shouldn’t have been that close. When Nebraska faced Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl for college football’s national championship, the Cornhuskers entered the game as 10½-point favorites.
But with just seconds on the clock, Nebraska found itself trailing 31–30. The Cornhuskers had just scored with a fourth-and-eight play as quarterback Turner Gill pitched the ball to running back Jeff Smith for a 24-yard touchdown. All Nebraska had to do was kick an extra point to tie the game and end the season as undefeated national champions. (This game occurred before the NCAA played overtime in football.) Instead of going for the tie, Nebraska coach Tom Osborne chose to attempt a two-point conversion to win the game.
With the season on the line, Turner looked to again connect with Jeff. The quarterback rolled to his right and threw a pass into the end zone. But at the last instant, a Miami defensive back tipped the ball away to earn the Hurricanes the victory and the national championship!
What’s the Score?
The high-powered Nebraska offense had averaged 52 points a game en route to building a perfect 12–0 record. At one point during the season, the Cornhuskers managed to score seven touchdowns in just 12 minutes. Miami, on the other hand, had lost its season opener, but then stacked up a 10-game winning streak to make it into the Orange Bowl.
With three of the best football players in the country—Turner Gill, Mike Rozier, and Irving Fryar—Nebraska planned to defeat the Hurricanes with ease. But with Mike injured and Miami playing a great game, things didn’t go as planned.
Has that ever happened to you? You thought you had a sure thing, but then the outcome you expected didn’t happen at all. God wants us to plan and prepare for the future. But as we plan, we should also remember that God controls what happens in our lives. The book of Proverbs reminds us, “No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.” His plans are best. And his plans never fail!
On the Ball
As you make plans for this year, be sure to include God. Only God walks with you throughout your entire life. Always seek to do his will as you make your plans.
Coach’s Comment
No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. Proverbs 21:30
The One Year Sports Devotions for Kids
By Jesse Florea, Jeremy Jones and Joshua Cooley
Tyndale
$7.99
