Car Truck! or Look at God!

I'm sure you've seen this car, the Chevy El Camino or "car truck", around the city at some point or time. They are a rare appearance because there are only a few left. This is not the most popular car on today's modern streets. Well my husband and son started playing a game they call, "Car Truck". Whenever they see an El Camino they yell, "Car Truck!" and they collect points which they mentally keep track of as to who gathers the most points based on who has seen the most El Caminos. I started playing this game with them (I didn't want to feel left out) and became so obsessed with the game, that when my husband and son weren't around and I saw an El Camino, I would take a picture with my cell phone and send them a picture text labeled: "Car Truck!"

What if we did the same thing with God? That whenever we saw the glory and beauty of His work on earth and in our lives we would yell, "Look at God!" That we would begin to give glory and praise to what God is doing in our lives and the lives of others. How much time do we spend having pity parties or feeling down about things that are happening in our lives. If we put all of our energy on blessing God with our praise and gratefulness for amazing glory; we wouldn't have time for our pity parties.

Imagine waking up to the birds singing outside... because you can hear: "Look at God!" or smelling the morning dew...because you have your sense of smell: "Look at God!" What about the seeing your loved ones waking up in the morning to see another day...because you have sight: "Look at God!" How about being able to step out the bed and feel the cold floor...because you have the use of your legs: "Look at God!" Opening the bedroom door...because your arms and hands still work: "Look at God!" Or maybe you can't be grateful for any of these things....but you're still breathing: "Look at God!"

I challenge you to look at God for everything...and the next time you're riding down the street and you see an El Camino - instead of yelling "Car Truck"; let it remind you of God and His glory and yell, "Look at God!" You may even want to mentally keep track of the points you rack up as you examine all of God's glorious blessings and how many times a day you said, "Look at God!" Maybe you'll take a picture of God's blessing and text it to someone with the message: "LOOK AT GOD!"

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2). Keep your eyes on God.

Faith or Fear?

I was driving one day and noticed my gas light was on letting me know that I needed gas. Well because I was in a hurry, I did not want to stop so I thought I would get the gas on the way back home. I continued to drive... but I was afraid the whole time that I might not make it to my destination and that I would be stranded. I kept looking at the gas hand as if it was going to miraculously change. I tried leaning toward the tank to put weight on that side and turning the car in a way that would make the gas hand move or stay above the empty line. I was really afraid that I would run out of gas so I ended up stopping to get gas and risked being a little late to my destination so I wouldn't be stranded on the side of the road.

However, on another occasion when my gas hand was low, I was unconcerned because my husband was trailing behind me. My gas light was on and I was driving all over the city as if I had a full tank of gas, without a care or concern. Why? Because my husband was right behind me the whole time. If I was to run out of gas, it wouldn't have mattered because he was there to save me. I could hop into his car and we could ride to the gas station; get gas and take it back to my car...no problem!

Well, that is how we should feel about life. Driving around without a concern for mediocre happenings. Why? Because our Father is right there. If we run out of gas, God is right there waiting to save us. He is waiting for us to hop into His car and ride with Him to the gas station to get gas and take it back to our car...no problem! God has it all in control. The question is are you living in fear or in faith? Are you driving around afraid that you will run out gas or are you trusting that if you do run out of gas, God is right there to save you?

In Matthew 14, Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding 5,000, then he sends the disciples across the sea to the other side of the mountain and after dismissing the multitude, Jesus goes to pray by Himself. Later He walks on the water out to the disciples and startles them...but He assures them that they don't have to be afraid because "it is I". In fact, Peter joins Him on the water. But when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and took his eyes off Jesus, that's when he began to sink and cry out for Jesus to save him. Notice what Jesus says to him, "You of little faith." But notice what Jesus does immediately...immediately Jesus reaches out His hand and catches Peter. But His question to Peter is "why did you doubt?"

My question to you is why do you doubt? When you know that Jesus will immediately reach out and catch you...why do you doubt? Are you exhibiting faith or fear?

Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for immediately reaching out and catching us when we are about to fall. Thank You for caring about us even when we don't trust You. Thank You! Amen.