Saturday night we went to the annual Nascar All-Star Race in Charlotte. William and I went last year and really enjoyed it and this year we were able to go again. We were both pretty excited to watch some of the fiercest competitors in Nascar, battle it out on the track for the million dollar reward. When we got there, we looked around a bit at some of the vendors and then around 5:30 we made it to our seats. By the time qualifying started at 7 p.m. I will admit I was a little bored and also tired. It had been a long week and the lack of sleep and rest was finally catching up with me. I was so tired and frazzled that I actually agreed to pay $9.00 for a bottle of coca cola and a cup of ice to go with it. Two words...highway.robbery. What was I thinking?
Anyway...as the qualifying ended, the driver introductions began. You could tell who the fan favorites were by the roar of the crowd and the shrill whistles you heard from the stands. You could also tell who was the least favored (by gestures I will not enlighten you with here...) When those famous words "Gentleman, Start your engines!" were shouted across the speakers, I watched everyone around me stand to their feet. Some whistled. Some took their hats off and waved them in the air. Others yelled and screamed. Some waved their hands around wildly as their driver circled below in front of them. I sat most of the race because 1. There was a screen I could see the whole race on 2. It turned out to be quite a boring race and 3. I was just so tired. I had a lot of time to watch those around me. Trust me, there was a lot to watch. I have yet to figure out why people spend good money to come watch an event, only to not remember anything about it the next day. But mostly, I watched people standing to their feet in awe of their "driver". I watched them lift their hands in the air to praise whoever they were rooting for. I watched them shout encouraging words as their driver tried to pass another car.
I couldn't help but to think of the way we praise and acknowledge God. Do we stand to our feet and raise our hands in praise to him? Do we show respect and reverence to his will and works by acknowledging them with our utmost attention? I began to think about my personal relationship and praise style and thought about the way I choose to praise God. While, I may not be loud or shout like those fans at the track did, I do sing out his praises. I am reverent to his word and what he has to say to me. I praise his name with my words to others and the testimony I bring. While it has been uncomfortable for me, I also raise my hands in praise more now than I used to as well.
Anyway, what I was realizing as I sit amidst a large sea of Nascar fans, is that there are many people who will stand for their idol on the track, but will never stand in praise or in awe of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not want to be one of those people. I will praise him no matter who is watching. The checkered flag I will receive in heaven when I have finished the race is much more important than what anyone thinks of me and way more important than standing for an idol or fan favorite!
Anyway...as the qualifying ended, the driver introductions began. You could tell who the fan favorites were by the roar of the crowd and the shrill whistles you heard from the stands. You could also tell who was the least favored (by gestures I will not enlighten you with here...) When those famous words "Gentleman, Start your engines!" were shouted across the speakers, I watched everyone around me stand to their feet. Some whistled. Some took their hats off and waved them in the air. Others yelled and screamed. Some waved their hands around wildly as their driver circled below in front of them. I sat most of the race because 1. There was a screen I could see the whole race on 2. It turned out to be quite a boring race and 3. I was just so tired. I had a lot of time to watch those around me. Trust me, there was a lot to watch. I have yet to figure out why people spend good money to come watch an event, only to not remember anything about it the next day. But mostly, I watched people standing to their feet in awe of their "driver". I watched them lift their hands in the air to praise whoever they were rooting for. I watched them shout encouraging words as their driver tried to pass another car.
I couldn't help but to think of the way we praise and acknowledge God. Do we stand to our feet and raise our hands in praise to him? Do we show respect and reverence to his will and works by acknowledging them with our utmost attention? I began to think about my personal relationship and praise style and thought about the way I choose to praise God. While, I may not be loud or shout like those fans at the track did, I do sing out his praises. I am reverent to his word and what he has to say to me. I praise his name with my words to others and the testimony I bring. While it has been uncomfortable for me, I also raise my hands in praise more now than I used to as well.
Anyway, what I was realizing as I sit amidst a large sea of Nascar fans, is that there are many people who will stand for their idol on the track, but will never stand in praise or in awe of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not want to be one of those people. I will praise him no matter who is watching. The checkered flag I will receive in heaven when I have finished the race is much more important than what anyone thinks of me and way more important than standing for an idol or fan favorite!