Earlier this morning I posted a video of me driving to my newest ministry location, "Planet Fitness" playing a song that was inspiring me to really get hyped because He rose. I had recently done the same thing less than 24hrs before as I rode home from the opening night of our VBS, feeling blessed. I got a few comments but one of them lingered with me not just a few hours, but all day. It was the one that stated, " I know u got God with u Ray. But don't think I didn't see that "fuzz buster" on UR windshield. IJS"I know the person wasn't being judgmental or anything...but it made me pause to ask WHY do I have a radar detector, or as he put it a "fuzz buster," in my windshield. As I drove around today being reminded from time to time that a cop or a radar signal was being picked up in the vicinity I began to really ask why do I have it? I mean the reality is I haven't had a moving violation in almost 10 years, and a speeding ticket maybe almost 20 years ago. So, again....why do I have it?
Here's what I've come up with...Paul wrote to the people in the church in Phillipi to fix their thoughts on things that were true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Why, because I think he wrestled in his thought life, just like he knew the people of this church would and did as well. Otherwise, why remind or encourage them regarding what they thought about.
See the fuzz buster isn't really to bust the fuzz as much as it is a device to help me put my thoughts, my concentration on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable because while driving can we all admit to having arrived somewhere unknowingly and wondering how did you get from point A to point B? See when the detector begins to beep or screen it makes me more alert that I exist in a dynamic world and if I don't concentrate I can get distracted. I can get involved in political or religious debates that aren't even truth based. I can become consumed by the dishonorable act of people in society, instead of encouraging my own kids, co-workers, spouse, neighbors....for the honorable things they do. I don't need to say much about what's right and pure while we live in a pornographic steeped culture where we are distracted by images that aren't real, and are as pure as the Times Beach soil. Let's all admit when we think about things that are lovely it makes our hearts smile, as well as our faces....and when we aren't thinking on those types of things our hearts ache, and long for exactly what feeds our spirits the good of GOD's provisions.
At the end of the day I have friends that have set up accountability groups, circles of trust, a moral board of directors, and the list goes on and on.....so brother DAVID, you are correct in the FACT I have God with me, but even though I do...without some help my mind can wonder too, and on my worst day I can find myself trusting in me, more than Him, and being overwhelmed because I've allowed my mind to go in a million different directions vs thinking on those things that the Apostle Paul suggests.
So who are you board of directors, accountability team, circle of trust.....people that act as a fuzz buster that alert you to the fact you are driving too fast in life, or distracted by culture to the extent you are about to wreck. WHO is it that keeps you true to yourself and your GOD. As Leonard Sweet puts it, who is your editor? The man/woman who you delight in giving your life's rough draft to, because you know they will point on the inconsistencies that muddy your life's message and purpose so that you end up with a story worthy reading or living. If you haven't given that authority and honor to some trusted bodies.....you will not only fail, but you will crash and burn. LGLP365
