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By Rev Don Rivers
Life is full of stuff; challenges, temptations, difficulties, decisions, etc. Are we trying to get through it on our own? Do we have someone alongside? Do we have someone looking out for us? Who is spotting for you on the road of life? Who do we have alongside? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I reflect on this subject every time I have the opportunity to officiate a wedding ceremony. It is especially personal when the couple shares their own special thoughts to each other. The main theme is that they will be there alongside through thick and thin. That is what marriage is, a commitment to be together, forever, no matter what comes our way. To stand alongside one another with mutual respect and love.
I was reminded of the role a spouse serves when I was standing behind the grandstands at the track talking with a friend. We were waiting for the Modifieds to take the track for practice. I wasn’t sure what the schedule was but when I started to see the stream of spotters walk by with the tools of their trade I knew the time was close.
A spotter’s tools seem simple; a good set of eyes to be able to watch what is happening, good judgment about how to advise the driver, language the driver understands and a way to communicate to the driver. We can all watch the race but a spotter sees things differently, they see difficulty coming before it happens.
Some things that happen need to be communicated to the driver, some don’t. A good spotter doesn’t overload the driver with information that they don’t need. A good spotter needs a way to communicate to the driver. Just having a radio and talking into the mike doesn’t qualify. The spotter and the driver need to speak the same language; they need to not only hear each other, but understand what the other means.
Look at it this way, when the spotter says “inside” does that mean go inside or go outside? It could mean either, that is up to the spotter and driver. The driver and the spotter develop a language all their own and develop an understanding of each other so that they can communicate with each other. When that works, things go well. When it doesn’t it usually leads to a frustrating day at the track.
Over the season I’ve heard it happen several times, a car runs into a wreck and the announcer says “the spotter didn’t warn them.” With our ability to listen to the driver/spotter communications, we know if it is true. It isn’t always that cut and dry though. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time. Sometimes the driver doesn’t listen.
One of the rules in racing is that when you are on the track you need a spotter. Wouldn’t it be great to have a spotter for life also? God provided that in our parents but let’s face it we really don’t pay that much attention to them sometimes; do we? When we find that special someone to share our life with we begin to see the benefits of having someone alongside.
When I agree to perform a marriage ceremony there is a requirement of premarital counselling. We spend the most time on communication, learning how to communicate to one another. It doesn’t come naturally. If you think it is, just ask your spouse where they want to go for dinner. As your relationship grows you start to be able to finish one another’s sentences.
With or without a spouse, we need someone who is in our ear, living inside us and guiding us in the right path. God has provided that someone for us all; his name is The Holy Spirit. Listen to what Jesus says about the Spirit;
John 14:16-18, 25-27, (Jesus answered) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
In addition, we read in Romans
Romans 5:5, And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide our heart in the paths that are right. I am reminded of the cartoon with the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. This is a good illustration of what happens when the Spirit dwells in us. He guides us with the right advice, but there is that other voice. The voice inside us that is telling us something different, something not of God. Which voice do we follow? Which guidance do we take?
The answer is to have another person in your life. Someone who will hold you accountable to the choices you make. Someone trustworthy, someone who loves you. Someone who would lay down their life for you. We need this kind of person in our lives also. I hear so many couples describe it, I get to marry my best friend. Having that friend alongside will change everything.
We can ignore the voice of the Spirit and make wrong choices, but with a friend alongside our walk through life is much easier. They look out ahead and spot the trouble that we can’t see or are blind too. They talk to us and provide information to guide us around the difficulty. Ultimately it is our choice, but that friend alongside wants us to finish the race of life in the best possible condition.
Having The Holy Spirit as our guide helps us experience life to its fullest. We receive The Holy Spirit when we ask Jesus to come into our heart. When we seek forgiveness from God for our shortcomings and accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When we ask God for that He sends The Holy Spirit to live in our heart, to guide us in the paths that are right, to counsel us, to show us the truth.
Do you have The Holy Spirit in your heart? You can. He will be with you and never leave you. Ask God today to send Him and God will honor that request and send Him. The key component is asking with sincerity in your heart; you have to want to. Seek out the guidance of The Holy Spirit today. Accept the sacrifice Jesus made for you and ask God to forgive your sin. If your heart is sincere then the transaction is done, your life has changed.
I would ask that you share that with us so that we can rejoice with you. We will help and guide you along the road. We will come alongside you and walk with you through life. We will help you through the difficulties and celebrate the victories. We will do our best to help you figure out life and learn how to live it to the fullest.
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.
