When we face challenges in life we need to remember that we don’t travel that road alone. Each one of us has to deal with challenges that push us beyond what we think we can take. At those times we need to remember that God is with us and will help us through. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lynda and I have been stretched by God when we traveled to Haiti. God challenges us in the effort to grow our faith. That isn’t comfortable or even welcomed. Many of us would rather sit where we are instead of stepping into the unknown and depending on God.
We see it at the track, maybe a new car, new division, new driver/crewchief combination. Whenever we attempt to move up or move forward we step into the unknown and have to put our faith in someone or something. Most times we put it in ourselves.
Then there are times when we have to come to grips with the choices we make and how they affect others. On Track Incidents make up some of the most challenging times in racing. A difference of opinion, contact, and the like provide opportunities for growth and maturity.
RWJM attempts to help the drivers we minister to through those times. Especially when there is an incident on the track and it is necessary for the parties involved to get together and work it out, we encourage them to do it. Sometimes we actually get them together and walk alongside them through the process. It isn’t comfortable but it is necessary to move forward and grow.
God desires to stretch us, challenge us, test our faith. I remember the story of Jonah; God had a task for him. Jonah decided not to do it and ran the other way. God didn’t let that happen.
Jonah 1:1-3a, 17; NLT; The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.
Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.
Are we ready to let God guide us as we persevere through the trials that will mold and shape us?
James 1:2-4; NLT; Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
We have the final say on whether we do the wise thing, follow God or the foolish thing, depend on ourselves, our understanding and knowledge. Jesus tells us of two different responses to His teaching.
Matthew 7:24-27; NLT; “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Look at the similarities of the two men and you see three things. One, they knew the words of Jesus. Two, they both wanted to build a life that would last. Three, they both experienced storms.
We all face storms, some of our own doing and some from God. Don’t think for a moment that God is not with us in the storms of life, even the ones we create, He is with us in them and uses them to help us grow and mature. It is in these times that we learn to depend on him and him alone.
Most times we live a shallow life. The outside looks great but when you dig a little deeper the foundation is weak. Our character hasn’t been tested and given a chance to mature. We take the shortcut and think no one will see. It reminds me of a man that built a sailboat.
There was a man who wanted to build a fantastic sailing ship. He used the best of materials and bought the finest sails. When he was finished, the boat looked awesome. It sparkled and shone in the sunlight. There was not another ship its equal. However, below the waterline he wasn’t as diligent. He skimped; when it came time for the ballast, he didn’t have much of anything in the hold.
Do you know what happens when your sailboat doesn’t have any ballast? When the boat met its first big wind, it toppled over. The shiny new part of the boat was now underwater and what the man thought no one would see was exposed for all to see. When you build a sailboat it is what you have below the waterline that determines the magnitude of the storm you can endure.
Life is much the same way. It matters how firm and stable our foundation is. We cannot endure the challenges of life without the right foundation. We cannot survive the storm without being anchored in Christ.
Difficulties and challenges will come in life. There are three ways we can respond to those difficulties and challenges.
Despise; we can hate God and be angry with him. Like throwing a temper tantrum when we were children and our parents corrected us or made us do something we didn’t want to do.
Discouraged; we can be depressed and think that no one loves us. We have no self-worth and doubt if God even knows we are alive.
Learn; we can choose to be proactive and teachable. We know that God is in this, he is in control and he knows what is best for us. Through this situation we need to learn and mature. We open up our hearts and heads to the teaching of God and strive to learn everything there is to learn from the situation, knowing all the while God walks alongside to guide us.
How have we chosen to face life? Are we wise and build on the solid foundation of Christ? When the storms of life come will we have what it takes on the inside to get through? Or will everything we have built in life come crashing down around us. God stretches us, molds us, shapes us to develop the moral character we need to still be standing when the storm passes.
We have the choice to make. Do we follow God as he helps us through the stretching process or do we take the path of least resistance. One will lead to a life that is strong and able to withstand the storm. Let God stretch you!
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
