For those who know me, you know that Sunday afternoon is generally spent in front of the television watching NASCAR. I have my favourites and really enjoy watching them as they not only strategize the race but also display amazing driving skills. This past race, one of my favourite drivers was bumped and ended up wiping out and smashing up his car. The person that did it seemed to bump into him on purpose but there was no proof that it was his intention to do damage. The other driver was very upset because they were both looking for a spot in the chase and the wreck should have taken him out of contention but they worked hard and got him back on the track in fairly good order. The car was a mess, his hopes of going forward were slim and his anger was about to get the better of him. He took time to settle down and changed the focus from getting even to getting ahead and by the end of the race, he had worked his way up to the rear bumper of the guy that wrecked him. Now, whether it was a nervousness from hearing footsteps behind him or not, he lost his composure, spun, lost control of the car and put it into the wall. His day was over and my favourite driver finished the race and moved up in the standings.
Life is very similar to this race. There are times when we
are just cruising along, focused on the things around us and suddenly, out of nowhere,
we are blindsided by the unexpected. Someone did us wrong and, for some, the
focus moves from getting back in step with our lives and moves to finding a way
to get back or even find ways to wreck the other person. These divisions can
last a lifetime if we let it, but there is another way. Shift the focus from
self and look to the scriptures because there is a better way and a better
peace that can come of it. Read Matthew 5 where Jesus taught us to pray and
focus on part of the message of peace and forgiveness. “Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us, lead us not into temptation and deliver
us from evil” When our focus is on the grace God has given and we follow His
leading, we will soon find ourselves in a place where the chaos parts and a
newness appears. The young driver could have focused on putting his bumper into
the back of his nemesis and wrecking him but instead focused on the race and on
gaining the points required to move forward. There are many out there who need
to get past the short-term focus, take time to refocus on what is truly
important and reset their effort in a way that will last into eternity.
Forgive as you have been forgiven, focus on a path of
righteousness rather than temptation and gather your strength from the Holy Spirit
to avoid evil ways. This week we continue the series on “The Way, Truth and
Life, Sufficient Grace”. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person
or watch us online at 10:30 AM.
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.com
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