Gate W or Gate N?

By Racing with Jesus Ministries: View Site

Have you ever noticed that when we are hanging out with our friends we are more inclined to get involved in something crazy? Whether it is peer pressure or the desire not to be singled out, or for the sake of saving face, we agree to do things that are questionable. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I was thinking the other day about some of the stupid things we did as kids. The bunch of us would get together and who knows what we would come up with. You can be sure it was something that would only make sense to a bunch of teenage boys. I can hear my mother now, “What in the world were you thinking? If all your friends jumped off a bridge would you?” I didn't tell her, but probably. Remember a few years back, down in Tampa, a fellow convinced a few friends to jump off a bridge. They tied a wire to the bridge support and planned to swing back and forth until they came to a gentle stop at the bottom. A couple of things we might want to note: first, I think alcohol was involved, and second is that I am pretty sure the leader wasn't an engineer.

You can guess what happened...the wire stretched and broke and the five friends went crashing into the water at 60 mph. They were severely hurt but no one lost their life. I am not sure they are still friends, but I hope they think twice the next time.

We are all guilty of following someone down a road that leads to destruction. I am sure if we listened to the campfire stories told at last event we would find exactly who did what where. "Remember the time..." We need to decide which road we will take. Jesus explained in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. When we follow the crowd and go along with things that are questionable, we go down a road that doesn't benefit us. We are caught up in situations that will lead us down a road that we shouldn't be on. They will destroy us."

I know it is not popular to be the voice of reason. There are many names for those who try to guide others away from things that are not beneficial. In the end, we realize that they are right. I think they call it maturity. In John's Gospel, Jesus helps us find the narrow gate. He explained that he was going to prepare a place for us and he would return to take us to be with him. Thomas asked, “How do we know the way?” Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No ones comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the narrow gate, the key to life.

How do we get there? We have to decide to follow Jesus. We first need to acknowledge that our way leads to destruction. We then need to ask for His forgiveness and turn our life over to Jesus and let him lead us. If you have already done that, then take a look around and ask yourself, "How good of a guide am I? Are we living in a way that will lead others to Jesus? Are we taking the risk to stand out in the crowd and help others find the right direction?" We need to be.

Take some time this week and evaluate the road you are on. If you need to find the narrow gate, turn to Jesus, ask his forgiveness and let him lead you. If you need to show others the right way, seek out the guidance of Jesus, take the risk, stand out in the crowd and help others find the way to life.

Thoughts from the Road

Off to Lime Rock where Matt Kobyluck had the same opportunity to win three in a row. Qualifying also was rained out on Friday evening and the field was set by points. Matt would start on the pole and with his experience on road courses it would be difficult to deny him. Matt won the previous road race at Watkins Glen. Matt didn’t disappoint and brought home the victory in a race that was delayed midway through due to rain. Matt shared the podium with Marc Davis and Peyton Sellers.

We will have another double header this week in Mansfield, Ohio. Both divisions will run at the Ohio track.

Look, Mom, no legs!

I know it usually is no hands, but in this case it was all hands and no legs. Ray Paprota gave me the ride of my life on Saturday. Ray is a paraplegic and doesn’t have use of what is left of his legs. He drove me around the Lime Rock circuit using a specially equipped racecar that allows disabled persons to race. I must admit it was a little weird looking down and seeing no feet on the pedals, but if you closed your eyes you couldn’t tell. Accessible Racing has outfitted the car so that Ray could drive it with hand controls. He is the only NASCAR licensed touring series paraplegic driver. Accessible Racing is opening doors for the disable to allow them to experience the rush of driving a racecar. Check out their Web site at www.accessibleracing.com.