Go Fast, Turn Left!

February 29, 2024

Go Fast, Turn Left!

Last week was the beginning of the NASCAR racing season.  The season always begins with the biggest race at the biggest track; i.e., the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

I only watched part of the race because it is difficult for me to sit for three hours watching television.  While I watched, I was reminded of my family.  Back in the early 1950’s, my father raced cars on the dirt tracks around Lincoln, Nebraska.

He was a new car dealer at the time selling Packards and Studebackers.  His race car was a Studebacker that he had modified for the track. 

My father had a lot of fun and some local success racing until he married my mother.  It did not take long until my mother gave my father an ultimatum; “It’s the race car or me; you choose which one you want!”

My father chose my mother and stopped driving the race car.  However, he kept the car and had someone else drive.  The racing came to an end one hot summer evening when someone clipped the back end of the Studebacker.  The car went airborne, flipping end-over-end down the front straightway.  That was the end of the car and the end of my father’s involvement in racing.

My brothers and I attended car races almost every weekend during the summer months.  One night when there was a break between races, I asked my father; “What is the secret to winning races?”  He smiled and responded; “Go fast and turn left!”

Sometimes the secret to winning a car race on a dirt track is as simple as that; “Go fast and turn left!”  I know there are other things involved.  But, ultimately you can do all those other things right and still not win if you do you not “Go fast and turn left!”

I wish the secret to winning in life was as simple as those words my father shared one hot summer evening as we watched the car races. 

I have read hundreds of books on leadership and have come away learning that almost all successful leaders believe they know the secret to winning in life.  The challenge is that after reading books on leadership it seems there are dozens and dozens of “secrets” to effective leadership.

I am grateful that living a life of holiness is not complicated.  The good news is there are not dozens and dozens of things we must implement and there are not any mistakes or failures or blunders that permanently disqualify us from trying again to live a life of holiness.

In Romans 5:1-2 the Apostle Paul writes; “By faith we have been made acceptable to God.  And now, thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God.  Christ has also introduced us to God’s gift of undeserved grace on which we now take our stand.  So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God.”

Living a life of holiness begins with a simple statement of our mouth and a deep conviction of our heart.  I profess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord (Jesus is the only god in my life!) and I have a soul-deep assurance that Jesus not only died to forgive my sin but is also alive to live with me today.  A life of holiness is a life made possible by God’s grace.

In Romans 10:9-10 the Apostle Paul writes; “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation.”

Although it cost Jesus His life, taking the first step a life of holiness with Jesus is not difficult for us.  The challenge for me and for many of you is continuing to live a life of holiness once we have been on that journey for a while. 

I wish there was a simple recipe like “Turn left and go fast!” for the spiritual life.  However, just like the drivers in the Daytona 500 NASCAR race last Monday there are some things we can do to prepare ourselves for living a life of holiness.

Let me share just one; make space and take time to listen to Jesus. 

Jesus modeled a particular rhythm in a life of holiness.  Sometimes Jesus would teach and preach, heal and help, and eat and sleep with those who needed the divine presence in their lives.  In other words, Jesus was often very busy!

At the same time, a careful reading of the Gospels shows us that Jesus also frequently made space and took time to listen to His Heavenly Father. 

Jesus would take a boat ride or take a walk. 

Jesus would spend time at the beach or spend time in the mountains. 

Jesus would walk in a field or walk in a olive tree orchard. 

Jesus would share a meal with friends or share a time of worship with believers.

Jesus made space and took time to listen for the voice and experience the goodness of His Heavenly Father.  For most of us, making space and taking time to listen without the distractions of a screen seems nearly impossible.  We are a generation that is so “connected” to the world through our electronics that we are rarely able to be still and quiet so we can listen for the voice of Jesus.

I invite you to turn off all your electronics (anything that casts an image, makes a beep, sends a signal, or otherwise captures your attention) for 15 minutes each day for the next 21 days. 

While you are making space also take the time to listen for the presence of the Lord God, the voice of Jesus, and the movement of the Spirit.  When you do, your heart and mind and soul will be filled with delight in the Lord’s love with you and presence in you.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug