Have you ever stopped to think of all the different ways we communicate with one another? We have snail mail, email, phone, texting, internet, blogs, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, along with many others. With all the ways we have to communicate you would think it would be easy. Why is then that we have so much trouble communicating? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Communication at the race track is important. The difference between victory and defeat depends upon a race team’s ability to communicate. Can the driver tell the crew what the car is doing? Can the crew chief communicate the adjustments that need to be made? Does the crew understand and make the correct changes? Can the spotter help the driver avoid trouble during the race? When everything is on the line during the race will we be able to secure victory?
I remember a time at Lime Rock and I was going through the lineup praying with the drivers when one tossed me the tire pressure gage. “Quick, set my tire pressures, I don’t know where my crew is.” I was intimidated, I can set tire pressure, I’ve done it on my own car many times, but this was different, this was a race, this was driver was putting his trust in me. I hope I hear him correctly.
I have noticed something interesting during practice. The crew chief and the driver talk over the radio but when the driver comes in to make adjustments to the car, the crew chief sits on the nerf bar and talks with the driver face to face. He not only wants to hear but he wants to see the expressions on the driver’s face.
We can sound different on the radio or the phone for that matter. An email or text can be read and interpreted many different ways. A photo is said to be worth a thousand words and I’m sure what you see and what I see are different. With all the options that man has devised to communicate, face to face is still the best way; one on one, no distractions, face to face. We communicate much better when we communicate in person. Emotion, facial expression, voice inflection are all things that can’t be hidden face to face.
John shared many thoughts in his Gospel and letters but the desire of his heart was to be there in person;
3 John 13-14, I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Back in Biblical time public speaking was the way most things were communicated. A person would begin to share thoughts and others would gather around to listen. Places were built for the sole purpose of communicating face to face verbally. We still enjoy that today but the desire for face to face contact is secondary to some of the other communication mediums. It is more popular today to watch a podcast or You Tube video than take the time to go see the event in person. I think we are losing out when we would forgo being there in person. Face to face is the best way to communicate with others.
Jesus spent much of his time speaking to people, meeting with people, teaching people, face to face. Part of the reason was that was the only way to do things, but it was very effective. Think about it, he communicated so well that we are still hold what he said in the highest regard. Do you think he came at that time in history for a reason? I think so, maybe today his words may have gotten lost in all the noise.
What about meeting God face to face? Do you think it is still possible? It is, but what keeps us from seeking God out? Why is it that we fail to communicate with God? Let me ask you, when was the last time you prayed, really prayed? God is available for us to meet face to face. He is available for us to talk with and build a relationship with. He is as real as anything you can see, feel or touch.
Have you ever wondered what God’s face would show you? You would see the love that He has for each of us. You would see His heart. When people see us, those that have a relationship with Him, they should see the face of God. We should be a reflection of the character of God for those who are seeking Him out.
But first we need to reveal our heart to God. We need to meet Him face to face, no secrets, no hiding behind things; we need to open ourselves up before Him. Don’t think that He doesn’t know who we are; He is waiting for us. He made it possible through the death and resurrection of Christ. We only need to seek Him out and we will find Him. He will meet us, face to face.
There are many stories in the Scripture that help us understand God’s desire to meet us face to face. When we come face to face with the living God we don’t leave the same way we came. We leave forgiven and restored. Jesus wants to change our lives, personally, each one of us. He wants to meet us face to face, look into our eyes and heal the hurts, fix the pain, forgive the sin and restore us to the abundant life He created us for.
Have we met Jesus face to face, or have we pushed him away? Do we think He doesn’t know us and somehow we can keep things from Him? He knows us and wants to remove those things that burden us. We need to go to Him, face to face and talk, pray. In that moment God will meet us there and change the direction of our lives. He will come alongside and walk with us through life.
The power of prayer starts with each one of us. Prayer is just communicating to God, sharing with Him. Prayer helps us see things through God’s eyes, it helps us look beyond ourselves. God will reveal to us the things that are truly important, truly life changing. Prayer will help us live a life that honors God.
Here is some guidance;
Learn to forgive.
Be still in God’s presence and listen.
Expect God to answer.
Talk to God personally and privately.
My prayer for us today is that we would hear a word from the Lord and we would respond in humble submission to His will for our life. We would meet God face to face and let Him change the direction of our life; that we would leave this place healed, forgiven, refreshed, restored and walking the path that God leads us down.
For our Bible Study time this off season I thought we would take a look at some of those life changing encounters between God and man. We will take a look at a few of those encounters recorded for us in His Word. We will see what we can learn from them. I am looking forward to sharing them with you.
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.
