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By Rev Don Rivers
We believe a lot of things, but not everything we believe, we believe in. There is a difference. We can believe something, but when we must put our trust and faith in it that changes the level of commitment and we go from believing, to believing in. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was talking with a driver about putting your faith in your crew. When a driver straps into their car he has trusted that his crew has put the car together correctly. I have seen some drivers that trust everything to someone else, jump in and go. Then there are others who are involved with the process and have a hands-on knowledge of how things went together. I know some drivers that go over the car with a fine-tooth comb before it hits the track, taking responsibility for their own safety. He explained it to me; “if something is wrong it’s on me, I don’t want the crew to feel responsible if I am injured.”
How much faith does it take to trust someone with your life? Do we believe there is a God or do we believe in God? Knowing there is a God and putting our trust and faith in Him are two different things. If someone were to ask, what would your response be? Do you believe there is a God? Or, do you believe in God?
There was a tightrope walker that amazed people by walking across a great ravine on a single rope. When he got to the other side he asked, “Who thinks I can walk back with this wheelbarrow?” Someone spoke up and said they believed he could. The tightrope walker confirmed the man’s belief; he could walk the rope back to the other side with the wheelbarrow. Then the tightrope walker challenged him and said if you truly believe I can do it, get in the wheelbarrow.
Are we willing to get in the wheelbarrow? It is very similar to getting in a racecar someone prepared for you. It takes trust and faith in the team when you sit in the driver’s seat and drive that car. Driving it to the best finish possible demonstrates your faith. I have seen a driver get into a strange car with very little practice. He had faith and trust in the crew that prepared the car. They qualified well and drove the car home to a third-place finish in the race. He could only drive the car in this way because of his faith in the team.
Do we believe in God or do we just believe there is a God? Do you know that the enemy believes in God? He knows there is a God and he is subject to that God but he chooses to live in conflict with Him. That sounds like some of the people I come in contact with. It makes me wonder; if you know there is a God and He created everything, including you and me, you might think at some point you would decide to put your trust and faith in Him.
Some don’t believe there is a God; that takes more faith than believing! That means everything came from nothing, order came from chaos. Life came from non-life and reason came from irrationality. That, my friends, takes faith.
In Psalm 139:13-16 it is recorded about God;
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Many times I hear people say, “I believe there is a God.” That’s an interesting thought. Is believing there is a God enough? We miss the point if we think that is all there is. God desires to have a relationship with us, to bless us and help us to live an abundant life. Is it enough faith to believe He exists?
Hebrews tells us about faith…
Hebrews 11:1-3; Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
We don’t always see what is done to our racecars. We also can’t see and touch some of the things Scripture tells us. Just because we cannot see them doesn’t mean they are not there. God created the universe from what we cannot see. Believing He exists is one thing. Trusting Him with your life is another altogether.
Let’s get in the wheelbarrow and cross over the ravine! Trust God and have faith that He is who he says He is. If you look around you will see enough evidence in the lives of those who trust God to know he is there.
Hebrews 12:1-3; Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus.
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.Don Rivers
