Making Powerful Spiritual Pit Stops
I used to wonder how anyone could enjoy watching race cars go round, and round, and round, with an occasional crash. Then I watched a NASCAR race one day and listened to the veteran drivers turned announcers explain the strategy of racing, including the all-important pit stops.
The Crew Chief Calls the Shots
They explained that when the crew chief calls for a pit stop, he's making a decision that could make or break a driver's chance to get the checkered flag. He is the person who calls the shots. He is the person who has to decide towards the end of the race if a pit stop is necessary, or if the team's driver has the race car in a good position with enough fuel to cross the finish line.
As we go through our day, sometimes at a racing pace, it's important we make pit stops throughout our day to refuel physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually. Physically, we should eat a good breakfast, a nutritious lunch, and a healthy snack to keep us going. Emotionally, there's nothing like making time for a restful break, regardless of what needs to get done.
Spiritual Refueling for Your Day
What about our ability to navigate our day spiritually? Even with a strong spiritual start of the day with morning devotions, what can refuel us and reenergize us as we run the daily race, as Paul suggests? What can we do to have a spiritually powerful pit stop during our day, check our proverbial tires, and review any damage that's been done?
A NASCAR pit crew stands ready to jump in and get its car in and out of the pit in a matter of seconds. An important part of this task is making sure everything necessary is right there at their gloved fingertips to refuel and/or repair their car to keep it in the race and in position.
What could you have at your fingertips to keep you spiritually in the race?
Prayers. Have at your fingertips prayers of petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. Use prayers you've put to pen and paper, or prayers others have voiced. Also be ready to open your heart and soul to whatever moves you to come before the Lord.
Scripture. Select scriptures you feel will strengthen you, uplift you, and give you hope for the rest of your day. Find spiritual power that will energize in the Psalms and God's promises spread throughout scripture. For instruction, consider Proverbs.
Music. Traditional hymns and contemporary songs that touch you and will motivate you. You might even find yourself listening to the lyrics in your head and humming the tunes throughout the rest of your day.
Affirmations and Quotes. Find positive statements to challenge you and help you overcome negative thoughts and help renew your thinking. Stop and replace negative thoughts that have entered your day.
Journal Entries. If you keep a journal, it could include any of the above, and reflections that could bring to mind past experiences when you experienced success and overcame obstacles. A prayer journal is a great tool for seeing God at work in your life.
Most importantly, make sure you check in with God, your heavenly crew chief, during your daily race. He should be the one who calls the shots in your life, especially when you need to pull into the pit to get energized, renewed, and wait for further instructions. Be receptive to receiving help from the Holy Spirit with his limitless, super octane power.
Also visit: Remember the Process in God's Promises
In God's Words
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;" (Isaiah 40:29-30)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
(2 Timothy 4:7-8)
"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you." (Galatians 5:7-8)
Also read: Philippians 2:16, Hebrews 12:1-2, Acts 20-24
In Your Words
Is it part of your daily agenda to spend time during the day in prayer and reading Scripture? Do you have prayers and thoughts you've put on paper to guide you into God's presence? If not, consider having them available.
What do you think about using music, affirmations, and motivational quotes as a way to reenergize yourself throughout your day? Select one of these tools and explore how to integrate them into your routine.
If you keep a journal, especially a prayer journal, revisit some of your entries to see how reading them could motivate you during your day. If you don't keep a journal, it's a great time to start one.
In the Words of Others
"A fantastic analogy for the power of focus is racing cars. When your car begins to skid, the natural reflex is to look at the wall in an attempt to avoid it. But if you keep focusing on what you fear, that's exactly where you'll end up. Professional racers know that we unconsciously steer in the direction of our focus, so with their lives on the line, they turn their focus away from the wall and towards the open track." Tony Robbins
