Get out of the Grandstand

Over the years, I have been to literally hundreds of stock car races. At every one of them, I have been surrounded by “Expert Drivers”. You know, guys who sit there and say, “Why did he do that?” or “He should have…” (fill in the blank). In fact, I have given out my fair share of “driving advice” while sitting in the grandstands. However, after this past weekend, my attitude is completely different.

Last Friday night, Estevan Motor Speedway held its first annual “Faster Pastor” race. It was a chance for church leaders to get into race cars and see what things are like from the other side of the fence and, let me tell you, it is very different. The cars are loud. The track is rough. It is hard to see anything beside you and, because you do not have a rearview mirror, you cannot see anything behind you. The track that seemed so wide before the race started suddenly seems very narrow.

In other words, it is much more difficult than it looks. There is a huge difference between sitting in the stands and sitting in the car.

When you think about it, everything in life is that way. It is much easier to “know what to do” when you are watching a situation than when you are living it. Every parent “knows” what their child’s teacher should be doing, but how many of them have ever taught school? Everyone “knows” how city council should be spending our tax dollars, but how many of them have ever been an elected official? Every hockey fan “knows” what the referee missed, but how many of them would be willing to put on the striped shirt and call the game? Everyone “knows” what would make their church better, but how many are willing to put in the time and effort to make it so?

My point: It is easy to be critical when you do not have to participate.

As Christians, we are called to be helpful, not just critical. We are asked to serve others, not just watch it being done.

Your faith will grow when you “get out of the grandstands” and participate in what God is doing.

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

When Troubles Come

The Old Testament Book called “Lamentations” is both a strange and amazing book.

It is strange because, as the title suggests, it is a book of crying. Most likely written by Jeremiah (whose nickname was “The weeping prophet”), this book focuses on how bad things were for the people of God. Their enemies had overrun Jerusalem and had taken their homes, their land, their treasures and even their people. Everything that they hoped in was either destroyed or taken from them. Worst of all, they had caused this trouble themselves because they had not listened to God (Lamentations 1). Things could not be worse for God’s people and Jeremiah spends five chapters crying about their troubles.

The book is also amazing because of Jeremiah’s response to all of this. Right in the middle of the book, he stops and writes, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’” (3:21-24).

Jeremiah stops and remembers that God is with him. Beyond that, he remembers that God is merciful, steadfast, loving and kind to his people even when they have done wrong. He recalls that every day is a new beginning and chance to start over again. He knows that his real hope is not to be found in possessions or things, but in his relationship with God.

I like this book because, like Jeremiah, it is easy for me to see only my problems and my troubles. It easy for me to focus on what is wrong. I sometimes need the reminder that God is alive, well and working in my life.

Our troubles may be real, but so is the God who helps us through them.

The Race

On August 24^th, “Estevan Motor Speedway” is going to put preachers in race cars and let us compete against each other. They are calling it the “Faster pastor” race and I have to say that I am excited about it! I grew up going to stock car races. When I was a kid, one of my dad’s friends built a stock car in our backyard garage. This past May, my brother and I went to Charlotte, North Carolina for the “Coca Cola 600” NASCAR race. I also attend every race in Estevan that I can. The bottom line is that I am really excited about driving a car, being in the race and having some fun.

Racing, however, is more than just fun. It is also a spiritual metaphor. In I Corinthians, the apostle Paul compares our life of faith to racing (albeit a foot race not a stock car race).

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:24-27).

Paul took his faith seriously. He was interested in the outcome of his life. He was concerned that his effort and his life not be wasted. In the end, he wanted to come out with the prize that he desired – eternal life.

Win or lose, “Faster Pastor” is going to be fun. The outcome will not be important (as long as I do not embarrass myself). In the race that Paul refers to, though, the outcome is all-important.

Thankfully, God helps us run our race. He sent his son, Jesus, to take away our sin. He gives us his word and his Spirit to help and guide us. He has given us the church so that we have others to encourage us. All of these things are designed to help us to “run in such a way as to get the prize”.

If you would like some help in your race, please join us. It is always more fun to run together.