Chuck Ryor

The Daytona 500 was rained out this year for the first time.  That meant that all of the fans would have to come back the next day. Many wouldn’t be able to, having spent money on flights that weren’t refundable.  And the originally scheduled start time on Monday was noon, meaning many would be at work and not even able to watch on television.  As of Monday morning the clouds hadn’t lifted and the rain was going to delay the race until that evening.

I understand this kind of disappointment.  You get your hopes up for something great and all of a sudden, that which you can’t control ruins your plans.  We’ve all been there.

However, as the old saying goes, “Every cloud has a silver lining.”  For NASCAR, delaying until Monday night created a ratings bonanza they’ve not seen in a while.  A national prime time audience was exposed to FOX’s broadcast, drawing many television spectators who previously hadn’t made auto racing a priority.  The fact that the rain didn’t let up until mid-afternoon meant that local fans could go to work and then be there for the race that night.

In the end it was an epic race.  Sports commentator Jim Rome said it was a spectacle the likes of which NASCAR hadn’t seen in decades; complete with tight racing, plenty of wrecks, and an accident that blew up 200 gallons of jet fuel.  It was something to see.  The entire broadcast lasted six hours (including the 2 hour delay while they cleaned up the track from the explosion).  There is no way this was planned, at least not by NASCAR.  But it sure worked out well for them as they had control over the network for the whole night.

I’m going to try to remember this the next time something doesn’t go my way.  In the Sound of Music, Maria quotes the Reverend Mother, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”  Actually, the Head Nun is taking her cues from the Apostle Paul, who penned this diddy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

He would go on to ask in verse 32 of the same chapter, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”   The answer?  No one.  God is somehow orchestrating even the bad stuff that happens for our betterment.  Nowhere is this better illustrated than at the cross of Jesus.  The people conspired against Him, his friends deserted him, and the hounds of Hell seemed to be freely torturing the Son of the Living God.

But God was allowing it all to bring about our salvation.  Jesus managed to trust His Father, so much so that He could pray for those who were doing evil to him: “Forgive them, Father, they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Rest well, my friend.  They may not understand, you may not understand, but your gracious Heavenly Father sure does.

I’m trying to re-write a portion of my dissertation this week.  I’m having trouble focusing.  It’s amazing the list of things I can get done when I’m trying to avoid doing the one thing I’m supposed to be doing.  I’m way ahead in so many areas…except on this dissertation.

During my last year of both seminary and undergraduate school I had the same problem – I couldn’t stay focused on the task at hand because I was so busy thinking about post-graduation.  This is an ongoing struggle for me spiritually, too, as I have a difficult time living in the moment.

Psalm 118:22-24, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

God has done a lot in each of our lives.  But when we get overwhelmed with thoughts of tomorrow, we tend to not see His glory today.  When we don’t see His glory today, life’s struggles can overwhelm us.  When things are going well we usually don’t notice, but hit that bump in the road (and perhaps lose your “stuff”), it’s then that you realize your focus is elsewhere besides God.

I have to drive on the 210 to get to my office.  I’ve noticed that I can’t hear my engine very well when I’m traveling at 70+mph with my stereo on.  However, when I turn the radio off and pull into the parking lot, I hear pings and knocks that previously I wasn’t even aware were there.

My point is that if we don’t slow down and enjoy today we’ll not only miss out on the great things that God wants us to celebrate, but we’ll also not hear when things are out of whack in our hearts.  The Father has created today to be one where you and I will experience Him.    Today’s the day He’s made.  Join me in trying to stay focused on it.

Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”  But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”  They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”  “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” – Mark 6:36-38

This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the passage dealt with last Sunday at Prism Church (see “What is Gospel Giving” at HERE or download from iTunes store).

Jesus asks the disciples to feed 5000 people and they accurately assess that they only have five loaves and two fishes.  I get why the disciples were a bit troubled by Jesus’ ongoing challenges to do things they didn’t have the ability to do.  They were correct to assume that THEY couldn’t feed 5000 people.  They were incorrect to think that Jesus couldn’t feed 5000 people through them.

It is conceivable that many don’t attempt great things for God because all they ever do is accurately assess their limited capabilities.  Modern “Self-help” methodology encourages us that we already have all we need in ourselves to accomplish all of our dreams.  I hate to be “Johnny Raincloud,” but if you can’t sing, you’re not going to be the next American Idol.  Listen to all the Tony Robbins tapes you want, but it isn’t going to change the fact that you can’t carry a tune.

The Scriptures over and over declare that we are powerless to do anything apart from God.  Either He is the author of the natural capabilities that we already have, or more importantly He is the Alpha & Omega and He can do anything through us.  Ultimately He is the one to credit for anything “naturally” accomplished.  But Jesus is certainly capable of doing infinitely more than we can conceive of doing (even after “unleashing our Personal Power!”).

There are three things standing between us and an opportunity to do great things for Jesus:  (1) We want to delude ourselves into thinking we can do those works in our own strength; or  (2) We don’t want to do them for Jesus; or (3) We never try because we don’t believe that Jesus can do the impossible with the little that we have to offer.

You are correct to assess that you don’t have what it takes to accomplish that which God may be calling you to do.  Assuming you want to do something great for Jesus, you’re just once step from a miracle.  Bringing what you have to Jesus.

‎The miraculous only happens through really weak people depending on a really powerful God!