Monday, November 18, 2013

Washboards Wreck Cars!

I watched a Myth Busters episode in which the idea of square wheels was tested.  The theory was that forward momentum, if the velocity was high enough, would assure just as smooth of a ride as round wheels.  In other words, if the vehicle traveled fast enough, it would stay level in the air rather than going up and down with the hard angles.

It didn't work because the vehicles could never overcome the initial shocks and blows created by the hard tires.  BUT, the theory stands to be true.  Even though every car tested eventually fell apart, the vibrations reduced drastically the faster the care went.

From this single episode, I have worked on developing two life practices.  One is to go faster rather than slower over the washboard-carved Nebraskan country roads so as to stay on top of the ruts instead of sinking into them.  Sometimes it works..

The other practice is applying this theory to life, faith, and leadership.  It's easy from moment to moment to sink into the ruts of a "washboarded" life, ministry, and faith.  But Paul reminds us to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).  In other words, let the momentum of your goal to encounter Jesus overcome the tendency to sink into the ruts--float over the setbacks that otherwise seem absolutely detrimental to the things we care about!

Yet, if this didn't work for the vehicles that were literally shaken to pieces, why should we as humans give it a go?  Because cars don't have Christ to hold them together as they gain momentum.  Humans DO.  Jesus is not only waiting at the end; he's bear-hugging us all along the way.


Keep the faith, keep looking forward, keep pressing on.  With Jesus, the sum of life is always greater than the parts!


More to come!


Jason <><


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