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By Rev Don Rivers
The unofficial end of Summer is upon us, Labor Day Weekend. For many, school has begun and the carefree days of summer are in the rear-view mirror. This is the time the racing season comes into focus. The success of our season will be determined by the next few races. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Championship races are coming down to the wire. How do we perform under the microscope? Will people see our true character? Does that reflect the love of Jesus? Many times in life and racing we find ourselves in pressure packed situations. There are many opportunities at this time of the season to forget about everything and focus on our on-track performance.
Many times when we put pressure on ourselves we do not represent God well. We lose sight of what we have been called to become in Christ and we revert back to self-focused and self-serving. We lose sight of what is going on around us. We lose focus on what really matters.
That is not the way we should live. We should be looking around for the opportunities that God has for us. When we turn our focus internally we do not see or hear the voice of God. Jesus encourages us to remember who we are called to be.
Matthew 5:13-16; “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Jesus uses two analogies, salt and light. Let’s take a look at salt first. Do you use salt? Salt is like many things in life, a double-edged sword. Salt can be used for good or it can be used to tear things apart.
When we use salt as a seasoning we enhance the flavor. Salt also preserves, making food last longer. Take a look around and see if we are enhancing those around us. Are we making things better or worse? Are we preserving something for another time?
We also use salt to change things. When we put salt on ice it melts and destroys it. Salt can be corrosive; it can tear things apart. We are encouraged by Jesus to use the love of Christ that is in our hearts to improve the situation. Jesus cautions that if we lose our focus and our “salt” is no longer effective we become useless.
We have the opportunity each moment we live to affect those around us, either for good or bad. We decide how we will use our influence. When we choose to be destructive our ability to claim the love of Christ and help others is gone. Our witness is no longer respected.
When we find ourselves under pressure we need to be aware of how we are demonstrating our faith. We need to remember who is in control. We need to avoid losing our saltiness, our credibility, our witness.
Think of it this way. You can be an egg or a carrot or coffee beans. Let me explain, when we place each one of these in the heat of the moment, boiling water, they react differently. An egg becomes hard-boiled. It’s insides change from liquid to solid. Our heart gets hard and uncaring. Carrots on the other hand get soft and mushy. They start off rigid and strong but end up all mushy, no backbone, no firm foundation to stand on. Now coffee beans on the other hand do not change, they remain the same. They do however change the water. The water becomes aromatic and tasty. The water becomes desirable. The coffee beans do not change but they improve the water.
Which one are we? When pressure comes do we harden our heart, lose our foundation or do we contribute to the situation in a way that improves it? Don’t lose your saltiness, our ability to change the situation for the better.
John 1:1-5; NIV; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus is the light that shines in each one of us. Jesus’ presence in our lives should dispel the darkness. We should add light to every situation. We should shed some light on the subject of life and how to live it in a way that honors God. Don’t hide your light, let it shine.
Have you ever been in a place and the lights went out. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. Then you find a light, a little flame, that lights up the darkness. It is amazing how much light it provides.
We have the same kind of light. We, as Christians, have the same opportunity to light the darkness others are experiencing. When all hope is gone the light of one who knows Jesus can bring hope to the world.
We have all stumbled around in the dark. Even in your own home, you think you know where things are, but you still stub your toe and stumble. When we hide our light we cause others to stumble around in darkness. When we keep the love of God to ourselves and do not share it we leave others to find their own way in the darkness. Let your light shine! Put it on a lampstand and help others find their way.
Jesus used these two analogies to demonstrate two important functions we have as Christians. We need to season the lives around us in a way that makes them better. We also need to shine our light to help them find their way.
Have we improved the lives of those around us or have we been corrosive? We have a responsibility to lead others to what is good. Whether we realize it or not we are leading. Make every effort to be sure we are leading people to what is right.
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.
