In the middle of the challenges we are facing comes the realization; how useful am I? We question if we are of use, given the label of nonessential. I want to encourage you to think differently. We are all useful. We need to be engaged in doing something. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As I thought through usefulness, I was struck by the contrast between having something we need and the availability of that item. Have you ever wondered why pit carts are so big or why teams bring two cars and spare motors to a race? Well, you can have them but they don’t do you any good if you need them at the track and they are back at the shop.

As I watch as the pit carts roll out to pit road it is interesting to see what the different teams have determined they might need during the race. Some have several “War Wagons”, some bring minimal tools to pit road. Sometimes you have what you need to finish the race. Other times you don’t and your race is done.

You can have the tools you need to fix the problem but if you don’t have them with you when you need them your race is run.

I was a Boy Scout when I was younger and the lessons I learned never faded. One of the lessons that has stuck with me is “Be Prepared”. I work through every conceivable scenario I can think of and make sure I have what I need to deal with it. I consider myself as having failed if I don’t have in my possession the tool that is needed. I am compulsive. The consequence to that is I have a lot of baggage. My war wagon would be a train. That isn’t necessarily a good thing but it is the way I’m wired. If you need something just ask, chances are I have something that will help.

On the flipside there are those who are perfectly fine with minimal baggage. Throw some clothes in a bag and hit the road. Truth be told I envy them sometimes. I think about what life would be like without the compulsion to bring everything. Yes, one of my favorite things is a swiss army knife, I have a few different versions.

Being useful has a lot to do with the attitude we face life with. Unlike inanimate objects we can decide to be part of the problem or part of the solution. We can decide if we want to be useful or not. Therein lies the opportunity to be involved in something greater than ourselves. To be a part of a team. To be a contributing member of the community.

Have you ever thought to ask yourself; how useful am I to God? Depends right? Depends on what he asks us to do? Many people want to know the will of God to consider it, not to do it.

To be useful to God, He has to be the priority in our lives. We not only have to belong to Him but we also have to make ourselves available to Him. Many times God can be an afterthought instead of a first thought.

Maybe think of it this way; If you leave your wallet at home it is hard to pay for the things you want to buy. You have the money but not with you.  You can explain that you have the money, it’s just at home. Chances are they won’t let you leave without paying. You have the money, but it isn’t useful because it’s in a different place.

Likewise, we can belong to God but He can only use us if we are with Him, where He wants us to be when He needs us there. The way we do that is by surrendering our will to Him and following His guidance and direction.

Some decisions or questions that we need to ask are; Have we allowed God into our lives? Have we allowed God control of our lives? Are we in His will?

Doing the will of God is an interesting endeavor. It draws to mind a story about four people, I’m sure you know them; Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

Everybody saw there was a need to be met and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s responsibility. Everybody thought Anybody could do it and Nobody realized that Somebody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody should have done.

Anybody could do it.

Everybody should do it.

Surely Somebody would do it.

Nobody did it.

James reminds us that if we claim to have faith in God it should lead to doing something,

James 2:14-17; NLT; “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions?

Can that kind of faith save anyone?

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”

Faith should stir action!  I am reminded of three servants the Bible tells us about. I encourage you to go back and read their stories of how they chose to become useful to God.

Mary, Luke 1:38; “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.”

Peter, Luke 5:8, 10b-11; “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.””

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Paul, Acts 22:10; ““I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’”

There are some things we can do to improve our usefulness to God. Who are we praying for, who have we set our life aside for? Who have we come alongside; not to fix, but to encourage, to walk with, to support, to pick up?

Christ set the ultimate example.

Philippians 2:5-8 NLT; “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Our attitude should be the same as Christ.

Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.