Beginning A NEW Leg Of The Race

Just yesterday, we (Life House Church) celebrated our 2nd Birthday! I shared with our congregation some principles to help us stay on course as we celebrate the good things God is doing in our midst… And I thought I’d share them with you. We called them ‘Road Rules’ for the race of a life of faith… YOU CAN’T STEER A PARKED CAR… The point being that too much attention to control and security leads to stagnation… Sure, it requires some risk, but we’ve got to keep moving forward toward our goal. The second one was YOU CAN’T DRIVE WITHOUT A BIG WINDSHIELD AND A SMALL REARVIEW MIRROR… Focusing forward, with just a glimpse of the past, enables us to see that we’re moving forward… Those things in the past can serve as guideposts, but shouldn’t become trophies or souvenirs.

Continuing with the race car type of word picture (you’re welcome, NASCAR fans!), the third one was YOU CAN’T PASS IN THE SLOW LANE… The simple truth is that in order to move ahead and make a difference, we must not get left behind… Nor can we get stuck behind those who aren’t willing to move forward in the journey. That pretty much says it all! The next was a very practical one, YOU CAN’T REPAIR THE CAR WHILE IT’S STILL IN MOTION… When a pit sop is needed, the last thing we need to do is step on the gas. Of course this seems like a no-brainer, but how often do we ignore the warning signals? Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest…” Too often we try to ‘keep on keeping on’ to our own detriment. This leads right into the final one, YOU CAN’T RUN ON EMPTY… Sure, it was a great song by Jackson Browne, but without the fuel of faith in Jesus, we’re going nowhere. Hopefully, these five insights (road rules) can help us stay the course, and one day cross the finish line and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master!”

“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God…” Hebrews 12:1-2 (MSG)

Peace!
Darrin