Blessed are the Porsche in spirit……
“When you try your best, but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse….”
Coldplay—-“Fix You”
So, this past Saturday night, I’m with a bunch of friends in Austin as we are celebrating Jake and I’s birthday at Fogo de Chao (for explanation of Fogo and why it is quite possibly the best restaurant in the world, check my earlier blog posts). We had a great meal, shared laughs, enjoyed the finest meats and cheeses, savored some spectacular desserts, and the time came for us to journey back to San Antonio.
Jake offers to drive my car home so I can ride with Hasbrouck in his Porsche 911. Jake knew that was my favorite car as a young boy and so, being a good big brother, he was arranging me a spot in a sweet car. Well, Hasbrouck takes it a step further and offers me the chance to drive it. Cue up the old Lil’ Jon impression, “wuuuhhhaaaaaaaat?!”
I initially decline as there is no possible way he could’ve been serious. Nay….he says, “Ted, when’s the NEXT CHANCE you’ll have to drive a Porsche 911?”
Hmmm…you know, he brings up a great point. At this point, I agree and I feel what it must be like for a 12 year old girl to get backstage passes to a Jonas brothers concert. Except, this is way cooler than that. Amiright?
Valet brings it up, Hasbrouck puts the top down (oh yes…it’s convertible as well). I adjust the seat to fit me. Emergency brake released, get the clutch and gas pedals working…and we are off. I’m driving in a convertible Porsche 911 in downtown Austin on a Saturday night and I can feel the envy of the dudes on the sidewalk. The gawkers are steady gawking (first time I’ve ever used the word “gawking” but I think it fits, don’t you?). Yes…this is good.
We get on I-35 and it’s time for some fun! Being the responsible young man that I am, I keep it well *under the speed limit (*disclaimer—all speeds and miles per hour have been changed to protect the innocent).
As we travel along at a totally *reasonable speed (see disclaimer above), I notice this car in the left lane, just camping out doing well under the speed limit. Hasbrouck drops another little nugget on me: this Porsche has a 6th gear. Yes….a 6th gear. I had to wipe away the drool. So, he advises that I drop it into 5th gear, punch it, and go around the guy and get to 6th.
Hey, who am I to question the owner of this fine vehicle? So, I do as he says and ahem….quickly…ahem….naviga
Now, I don’t want to overthink this, but let me be totally honest with you for a moment.…. I do hope you are ready to go after God this summer. I do hope you are not going to waste these months of summer 2009. I sincerely hope that if you are reading this that you will delight yourself in the Lord God and that you will seek His will fiercely this summer.
It is easy to coast and waste precious breaths of life. It is easy to go through life and just do what “feels good” and think that’s all there is. It’s easy to stay in a lower gear and sit idly by….never knowing that through a belief in and a relationship with Jesus Christ, you have access to way more power than a 6th gear. As a Christian, you have the Almighty God, the Creator of this Universe, the Eternal God with you! Does that register? Does that sink from your head to your heart?
On my own, the only gear I seem to find is Reverse. I mess things up, I sin, and I go backwards. It’s anything but impressive or profitable. But, when I look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, I find He is equipping me for the ministries He has called me to serve.
Psalms 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, EQUIPPED for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
Psalm 31:24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.
Psalm 27:1 & 14 The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
He has the forgiveness I need for all my time stuck in reverse.
He has the grace I need to turn away from the path of evil I was on.
He has the power I need to push forward, even when I don’t feel I can.
He has the strength I need to do what He has called me to do.
He is the Lord God and He is mighty beyond all measure.
If you feel stuck in reverse, honestly confess your sins to Him and ask for His mercy and forgiveness. If you want to turn around, ask for His strength to help you.
Seek Him. Seek His strength. Seek His way, not yours.
What has He laid on your heart for this summer? Spend some quiet moments just listening.
You were meant for something this summer. You were meant to do things that MATTER in His name. Don’t back away from this.
Is He calling you to reconcile a broken relationship? He will give you the strength to do your part.
Is He calling you to humble yourself and ask forgiveness for something? He will give you the strength to do your part.
Is He calling you to go boldly share the Gospel with someone? He will give you the strength to do your part.
Is He calling you to get out of your comfort zone and do something hard? He will give you the strength to do your part.
Seek Him. Seek His strength. Seek His way, not yours.
Do….not….waste…this summer. Do not miss what He has for you. It may be hard, it might seem crazy, it may not make sense right now. That’s ok. But, go with the Father’s heart this summer. You may not even know all the gears He has put inside you yet. Who knows… He may have a 6th gear inside you that you don’t even know about right now. It would be a shame to never find out, right?
Humble yourself and listen to Him. Say “yes” to Him. Trust Him. Don’t put it off. Don’t think “maybe some other time.” No, now is the time. NOW is the time to get out of Reverse and into the Strength of the Father.
When’s the NEXT CHANCE you’ll have to make the most of this summer?
Repent of sins.
Rejoice because our Great and Loving God!
Return to Him with all that you have.
Remember what He has said.
RUN after what He has given you.
1 Samuel 17:48-50
Then it happened when the Philistine (Goliath) rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David RAN QUICKLY toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.
RUN QUICKLY.
STEP ON THE GAS.
GET AFTER IT.
As always, your comments/messages/agreements/disagreements/illustrations/movie-tie ins/etc. are welcome.
Thanks for reading.
Walking towards the Light from the cross of a King 