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Have you ever noticed that when we are hanging out with our friends we are
more inclined to get involved with something crazy? Whether it is peer
pressure or the desire not to be singled out or for the sake of saving face,
we agree to do things that are questionable. Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was thinking the other day about some of the stupid things we did as
kids. The bunch of us would get together and who knows what we would come up
with. You can be sure it was something that would only make sense to a bunch
of teenage boys. I can hear my mother now, “What in the world were you
thinking? If all your friends jumped off a bridge would you?” I was smart
enough to keep quiet but the truth be told, yes, I would be right there with
them.
Racing has its share of stories about following the lead of someone with
questionable mental capacity. But you know when you are sitting around the
campfire and have had a few, things that wouldn’t ordinarily make sense take
on a new appeal. We are guilty of following the crowd.
Some years back I remember an accident at a track. It wasn’t on the track
or even during the race. It happened after the race when everyone was
relaxing, kicking back and having some fun remembering the good ole days.
The incident was life threatening. The road back was long and slow. The
weight on the parties involved was oppressing. It is a miracle the physical
damage healed and the lingering effects are minimal. The fact remains we are
all capable of putting our lives in danger at the encouragement of
“friends”.
Remember a few years back, down in Tampa a fellow convinced a few friends
to jump off a bridge. They tied a wire to the bridge support and planned to
swing back and forth until they came to a gentle stop at the bottom. A
couple of things we might want to note; first, I think alcohol was involved,
second I am pretty sure the leader wasn't an engineer. You can guess what
happened, the wire stretched and broke and the five friends went crashing
into the water at 60 mph. They were severely hurt but no one lost their
life. I am not sure they are still friends, but I hope they think twice the
next time.
I wonder what road we will take in life, the gate that leads to life or
the gate that leads to destruction. Who will we let lead us? Will we follow?
We need to decide which road we will take. Jesus explained;
Matthew 7:13-14,
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction,
and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it.
When we follow the crowd and go along
with things that are questionable, we go down a road that doesn't benefit
us. We are caught up in situations that will lead us down a road that we
shouldn't be on. They will destroy us.
I know it is not popular to be the voice of reason. There are many names
for those that try to guide others away from things that are not beneficial.
In the end, we realize that they are right. I think they call it maturity.
In John's Gospel Jesus helps us find the narrow gate. He explained that
he was going to prepare a place for us and he would return to take us to be
with him. Thomas asked, “How do we know the way?”
“Jesus answered I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes
to the father except through me.”
Jesus is the narrow gate, the key to life. It is by following Him that we
find the true, satisfying, fulfilling life we are all seeking. He is the
way, the truth, the life.
How do we get there? We have to decide to follow Jesus. We first need to
acknowledge that our way leads to destruction. We then need to ask for His
forgiveness and turn our life over to Jesus and let him lead us. There is a
simple conversation you can have with God.
“Hi God, I want to come and acknowledge you. I want to know you better. I
have fallen short in my choices and ask for you to forgive me. I want you to
be my Lord, my God. I want you to lead me in your ways. Please come into my
life and change the direction I am heading. Thanks.”
God promises in His Word that if we seek him with all our heart He will
hear and come to us.
If you have already done that then take a look around and you might ask
yourself, how good of a guide am I? Are we living in a way that will lead
others to Jesus? Are we taking the risk to stand out in the crowd and help
others find the right direction? We need to be.
Take some time this week and evaluate the road you are on. If you need to
find the narrow gate, turn to Jesus, ask his forgiveness and let him lead
you. If you need to show others the right way, seek out the guidance of
Jesus, take the risk, stand out in the crowd and help others find the way to
life.
ON A SOMBER NOTE - Our hearts go out to the victims in
Charlottesville. Our hope and prayer is that we would not continue to pursue
our own desires but let our Lord lead us and help us value all lives the way
He values each one of us, equally.
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.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us
your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family
you are in, or give us a call. Remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
 Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084.
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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
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