“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT
The NASCAR Cup Series championship came down to one decision in race overtime: two tires or four tires. Denny Hamlin’s team chose four tires and gave up valuable track position. Kyle Larson’s team chose two tires and ended up victorious, although Hamlin was clearly the best car in the race and had a dominant season. The wrong choice ended in heartbreak for Hamlin yet again.
This decision was very significant, as it would have ended Denny Hamlin’s championship drought, 19 years without a championship. It would have provided joy to a year filled with hardship due to his dad’s health. It would have made for a sweet celebration as he would have gotten to celebrate with his newborn son. This one decision meant that all of that did not happen. The drought remains, and the year continues to be challenging.
While that decision was important in Denny Hamlin’s career, we face an even more important decision that impacts our lives eternally: the choice of whether to trust in Jesus or in something else. Hamlin’s team’s decision on Sunday impacted one season, but who or what we trust in impacts our eternities. Peter writes of this at the beginning of his first letter. Trusting in Jesus brings inexpressible joy and salvation for our souls. Not trusting in Jesus leads to sorrow, death, and despair, eternal separation from God. This is a much more important decision than whether to take two or four tires on the final pit stop of a race. At the end of your life’s race, you will have to face the decisions that you have made along the way. Have you made the most important decision, to trust in Jesus as your Savior? If not, I encourage you to do so.
Following Jesus is simple, but not easy. When we choose to trust in him, he changes our lives. He transforms our hearts, gives us his power and gives us an identity of chosen, loved, and accepted. As we trust in him, he works inside of us to reframe our minds, worldviews, and values, and that is reflected in our future choices. While we still face the temptation to live for ourselves or cut corners in sin, we have the power to turn away from that and continually choose Jesus. Will you make that choice today?
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