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Ny Rev Don Rivers
Have you ever just settled in and got comfortable only to remember something you forgot to do? It takes a few minutes to convince yourself it is worth it to move. After a lot of internal discussion, you gather the strength up, with a moan and groan you move. It is impossible to guide something that isn’t moving. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Making our racecar go faster is the goal of every race team that ever existed. Figuring out whatever needs to be changed, adjusted, rebuilt, or improved; no stone goes unturned to find that elusive speed. The fact remains though if the car isn’t moving, you have no idea if the changes worked.
I was talking with a racer the other day. I asked how he did in a recent race. I was met with rolling eyes. The story began; I called my friend over and we put a brand-new setup in the car, everything was great, until I tried to drive it. It was evil! I couldn’t turn it. We brought it in, thrashed on it, adjusted what we could, but it still wasn’t turning. I ended up having to muscle it through the turns and it wore me out.
As I shared a few weeks ago the Will Rogers statement (Rev. Don paraphrase); Even if you are on the right road, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. Much like not being able to figure out the right recipe for speed without running the car on the track, God cannot guide us if we just sit there. We must be a moving, living, as we go, member of the family.
The question comes to mind; where do we go? That’s not as important. We think we will sit here and wait for God to guide us. We can sit here all day and wait; they are not coming. We need to go to them, meet them where they are, touch their lives with the love of God and invite them to join us. Before we know the direction, we must move! Somewhere, Sometime, Some place.
It isn’t as haphazard as that sounds. We all have plans, places we go, things we do. The key is to open our eyes along the journey and pay attention to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God will change our course and direct us to the things He has prepared for us to do.
To hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit we have to know God, know His character and recognize the way He does things.
Think of a shop helper. You are under the car on your back and you need a ½ flare wrench to tighten a brass fitting. Who will be more help? Obviously, someone who knows the type of wrench you’re looking for. It is easier to guide someone, when the person you are trying to move has some understanding of the job to be done.
God invites us alongside to watch Him and be a part of His Plan. The challenge is we have to know him to be useful to Him. Not that God wants to use us, but He wants us to be a part of what He is doing. God wants us to be a part of His Blessings. We are able to do that when we allow God to transform us into His image, we become useful to God. Think of the kid that hangs around the shop to help, learns how things work, how things fit together. One day he will be able to build his own car. He knows because he was transformed into a racer.
Are we useful to God? Why does it matter? If we are not then we will not see and experience the blessings He has prepared for us!
Acts 9:32-34; NLT; As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
As he traveled and went to visit, Peter was prompted to heal Aeneas. He could have just passed by reasoning he didn’t have the time to be bothered. He could have been so focused on his destination that he didn’t even notice. He could have reasoned that he didn’t deserve it. He could have doubted his faith in God and not risked failing. He could have reasoned he was paralyzed because he made a decision that wasn’t too smart.
But, that’s not what God wanted him to do.
Peter knew because the Holy Spirit told him to go over and heal that man in Jesus’ name. Peter was obedient and did so. God healed Aeneas and those who lived there saw this and turned to God.
How much faith did this take for Peter to do this? How much hope did he have in God? How much confidence that God will hear and heal? Peter had it! But where did he get it from? Sitting still? No, first by following Jesus, learning, failing, being forgiven and restored. Then by going and letting God guide him along the right path.
David wrote in Psalm 23:3b something we need to understand about God’s guidance;
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
God wants to move us! Move us into places and to people that need to know the grace, forgiveness and love that He offers. God wants to heal us physically, mentally and spiritually. He wants us to be useful to Him for the purpose of sharing His blessings with us and others.
When we move, we strengthen our faith, we trust God’s promise. Only then can people be healed. Only then can their lives have HOPE! It only happens when we go. Our faith only grows when we go. People’s lives are only changed when we go.
Where is God moving you? Where is God wanting you to go? Take some time and pray specifically for God’s direction. Know this; He has a plan that will involve doing something, somewhere at sometime! His plan will involve you putting greater trust and faith in Him then you have in the past. His plan will not only change your life, but the lives of those you meet along the road to where God is leading!
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.
