Ever had that moment where you think everything is about to come unglued?  It's that moment where you're seeing something and your heartrate goes through the roof, a bead of sweat meanders down your brow and your senses get hightened as you anticipate watching something go horribly wrong?  I had that moment this Sunday. 

     As a matter of fact, I had that moment many times this Sunday.  I stared that moment into submission this Sunday with my children and friends around me as we watched these world-class, one-ton automobiles move at unnatural speeds down the motorway at Elkhart Lake, WI for the Road America IMSA race. There we were, at turn 3 at the start of the race and the undeniable sound of multi-million dollar, cutting-edge technology (and other-hyphenated things) engines whined towards us.  I could hardly believe my eyes as these tiny beauties came whizzing down the straightaway.  They were fantastic! 

     My appreciation and awe turned quickly to dread, though, when I remembered just how close we were to the turn!  A quick glance in front of me confirmed my fears that we were between the signs labeled "2" and "3," an indication that there was approximately 250 feet left before the turn.  It is no exaggeration to say that horror struck me.  "Oh. No." I thought to myself, as fast as thoughts happen.  "They're gonna die!"  I stared.

     Ten or more cars flew past us like wasps on a mission.  Racing towards that 85 degree turn.

     Suddenly, like so many swinging pendulum balls, the cars slowed, bunched together, turned at a mere 80mph, and then exploded out of the turn, uphill to turn number four!  Amazing! 

     See, it turns out that these cars are designed with two things in mind.  Not just the one that everyone is aware of.  No, the millions of dollars put into racing does not go only into the pistons, the fuel injection, and horsepower for speed.  Actually a significant portion of the money goes into high performance brakes,  As with life, these cars are useless if they don't brake well because the road is not only straight.  Both the track at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and the track of my life has ups and downs, straightways and turns. 

     Our family is going through a major turn right now.  We're leaving a church that we helped plant, a group of people who have fundamentally altered our lives and those who we've been so blessed to call friends. In this season, we are called on by God to face a turn after running with engines blaring.  We're called to use the braking technology he's invested in us so we can take this turn then explode up the next hill.

If we don't respect the turn, we'll go flying off the track and take others with us.  Just leave!  Get out of here!  No, God wants us to end well; and messy or not, we have to see things through.  So, give me the real scoop!  Who said what, did what, thought what?    No, we have to refuse gossip, entrust ourselves to the Lord and our leaders and move ahead in faith that Christ has taught!  These people said that you did such and such and that this person said this and you're gonna... No, I'm sorry, we must choose to love our neighbors and our detractors with the love of Jesus; a sacrificial love.  God help us to choose to bless with our mouths instead of curse.  But Darryl!  Look at the economy!   Look at the world!  Nobody has jobs!   Churches are shrinking!  Money is tight!  Yes Lord, you created something from nothing.  Please help us to trust you, Jesus, when things don't make sense and when fear would be the easy choice.  

     Romans 1:17 says: For in it [in the Gospel,] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

     In this world, the Christian life is one of faith; through and through.  From faith: beginning with loving Christ who is not seen but believed.  To faith: concluding with death even though we believe that death is not the end.  So then, if it is faith in the beginning, and faith in the end, why expect anything other than faith in this time between the bookends?  We shouldn't.

     So, that's where we are.  We're leaving our church home for an uncertain future.  We have to walk with God through the tough road ahead.  That's us.  Life's not designed to be a straight track, but a diverse one that forces us to look to and rely upon God for strength.  What's your challenge?  What turns are ahead for you?  If you're racing ahead, not concerned with the twists and turns, race hard, but know that a turn is coming. If you're not already in one, it's coming and you'll be forced to go from rushing to crawling.  I hope you race well.  Here it comes in 3....2.....1.....