Overcome evil with good

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

My NASCAR weekend was marred by my favorite driver crashing his primary car in practice. He was the favorite, by the Las Vegas odds makers, to win the race. But he had to run the race in a backup car. By the rules he also had to start the race at the tail end of the pack. It was a quick role reversal for him to go from the favored, to the underdog. He had much to overcome if he was to win the race set before him.

This devotional will highlight several interesting aspects of a NASCAR race that serve God. Admittedly, not all aspects do. But there are three I will touch on that do. I do so to point out that in our daily lives we will encounter opportunities to serve in which we too can publicly share our faith.

At the beginning of each race there is a prayer. A pastor, or chaplain gives offers the prayer. The prayer usually asks for safety of the racers, pit crews, safety teams, families, etc. It is a multi-denominational prayer, but on occasion it acknowledges what we all know to be true from our prayer as shared by Christ in John 14:4. “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Each driver has a radio used to communicate with their pit crew and their race spotter.  Some of the drivers will share a prayer over the radio before beginning the race. As a race fan, you can rent, or buy, scanners to listen to your favorite driver as they go through the race. This prayer is spontaneous and is shared freely by the drivers with all who are listening. It is a show of faith and it is their opportunity to reach out to all who may not know God or have faith. The prayer is like seed cast out upon the ground. Some of the seed will sprout, and some will not. One thing is for sure, if the seed is not cast out, it will never have the chance to sprout.

Before the drivers and pit crews split up to begin the race, some will gather in a circle and share a prayer. They huddle up. It is a visible and public display of faith. Not all crews do this, but some do. It binds together those who do the prayer with a firm commitment of faith and acknowledges that without God, they are nothing. Romans 8:28 reminds us And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  We all can use prayer as a weapon against evil. It acknowledges we rely totally on God to provide all that we need. It strengthens our faith and gives us the courage to do battle with evil. What opportunities do you have in your day-to-day life where you can publicly share your faith with a prayer? Try it, maybe a seed will sprout.

PRAYER: Most Merciful God, we are attacked constantly by our world for having faith in You. We are told to not share our faith in public. We know that this is not Your will nor is it Your desire for us to hide our light under a shade. Give us the courage to publicly share our faith. Let the world see that we serve You, and You alone. This we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Who with the Father and the Spirit are one, Amen.