It's Bristol, Baby!

 



     "It's Bristol, Baby!" This phrase is heard every time the NASCAR circuit arrives in Thunder Valley (Bristol, TN). Why is this phrased used? In order to win a race, a driver has to "wreck" and move over other drivers to have a chance at winning. The Irwin Tools Night Race was this past weekend (August 23, 2014), and eyes were open to how racing at the Bristol Motor Speedway and our walk with Christ are the same. 
     From the 1960s to 2007, the racing groove was on the bottom of the track. From 2007 to 2012, People complained about the "new" Bristol and how it was not the same. Today, people are giving high accolades to the racing relating to the "old" Bristol, but with the racing groove towards the wall. Our walk with Christ is no different than what happened in the redesign of Bristol. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 NIV reads "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!" When we become redesigned and have accepted Christ in our lives, people will hate us. In the 15th chapter of John, Jesus states that if the world hated him that the world would hate us. Our redesign will be hated from our peers in our old life just like Bristol was from 2007-2012. 
     The preferred line at Bristol is the top groove of the racetrack. Drivers will nudge other drivers to the bottom of the racetrack to gain position. In our lives, the top groove is things in our life are going great and our walk with Christ is going strong. In the Christian world, we like to call that the "Mountaintop Experience". Jesus never promised that our cross would not be heavy. In this world, we have an enemy named Satan. Satan's goal is described in  John 10:10a (NIV), "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." Just like drivers trying to pass another driver by sending them to the bottom, or the valley, Satan will do with our life. Satan will try to get us to backslide and not experience life to the fullest with Christ, but it our job to stand firm because Jesus offers greater than what Satan offers. Satan will remind you of your past failures and guilt, but Jesus is saying to us that the shame and guilt that we are receiving has been covered by His blood poured out for us on Calvary. It is for us to not lose hope and cling to Jesus. 
     Tire fall-off at Bristol is high. That means that the tires lose their grip and speed as a race runs on. If the tires fall off too much before you change them, the tire will go flat. In our lives as Christians, we go to conferences and we get what is called a "spiritual high." After some time, that high goes away, and people live their lives like normal. Christian Conferences are meant to challenge you, and they are meant to make that fire you have for Jesus even bigger or start that fire for God in your life. Jeremiah 15:16 (NIV) says "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." The world will not change when the people of God lose their fire for Him and His word. 
    At Bristol, everyone feels entitled to their position on the racing surface, and if something goes wrong, they complain. That is just like people in leadership today. We are in an era of "entitlement". Everyone is entitled to everything. Leaders will do anything to self promote and self protect themselves. Jesus should be the standard of leading others. Philippians 2 is a beautiful description of the humility of Christ and why he came to this world. Jesus did not take any titles, but he did take up towels. He sought out every opportunity to serve others. Matthew 20:28 (NIV), "just as the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." The world will change when us as Christians follow the example and leadership of Jesus. 

CW


*below are some images found on the internet from Bristol

A New Beginning

      

Isaiah 41:10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 John 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 Peter 3:13-14Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
1 Chronicles 28:20David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.

    A new school year is about to begin for many this next week. For me, I still have two more weeks until classes begin. If you are still in High School, press on! It will get better. Going into freshman year of college, many opportunities and things are about to change. Over the past week, I have been overcome with a spirit of depression. Why? Because everything that I once knew will be gone and new friendships and activities will commence. 
     What will change? For me, the community I have built with people within Students will be gone. As everyone goes their different ways, Jesus remains constant. I am grateful that God has placed me with a great group of people to finish high school out with. Over this past summer, I have found two people that I can come clean to and tell all my problems to, and I know that I am being prayed for. 
     Growing up in a Christian school for majority of my life, I was able to have a Bible class everyday. During my high school years, havinIg Bible class replaced my own personal time with God. Over this past summer, I have struggled to dive into the Scripture, but over the past couple weeks, I have begun to dive into the word and do studies of the Word. This summer has been a time of searching. I no longer have someone "holding my hand" to read the Word, and tell me what I should know about God. The most important questions you can ask yourself is "Is what I believe what my parents forced me to believe or is this my own personal belief?" and "Do you believe  what you say believe is really real?" When you go off to college, you will be on your own, and if you do not have a firm standing on your beliefs, the winds of this world will carry you away like the sand. 
     Throughout my high school days, I was not the most active type of person. However, I did run Cross Country for two years and played tennis for 1 year. Even though I played those sports, I only did it for that season. After the season was over, I would go back to being a glutton. I Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) states, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." Health and fitness are crucial parts of our everyday life and walk with Christ. Over this summer, I have began to run, hike, and bike at least three days a week. Just recently, a gym membership was purchased. Once I learn some dumbbell and machine workouts, I will begin to use it even more than I have already. A friend told me just recently "We aren't watching our health and fitness more closely to add more years to our life, but add more LIFE to our years." Starting college will mark a new beginning in getting healthier and eating better to be a more effective witness for the sake of Christ.
    A new beginning brings out the fear. Fear has already been defeated by God. (If you are struggling with fear, I suggest you watch this talk called "Fear Must Fall" apart of the Goliath Must Fall series http://www.passioncitychurch.com/watch#PCC-072014-V2 ). There is nothing to fear if you are in Christ. I have nothing to fear about the new beginning, and I can't wait to see what God will do in and through my life.


May blessings and the peace of God be with you!