To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have
become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save
some. I do
all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9: 22-23
ESSAY:
God’s Not Dead.
Write Your Story (on My
Heart).
Better than a Hallelujah.
These are some of my favorite titles from
my favorite songs on my favorite radio station, KLOVE. KLOVE is a nationwide,
listener-supported Christian radio station. They feature a contemporary
Christian music format featuring such artists as Toby Mac, Amy Grant and the
Newsboys.
KLOVE radio also sponsors a car in NASCAR,
fast becoming my favorite spectator sport. Driver Michael McDowell drives the
#95 KLOVE car. While I have yet to see McDowell win a Monster Energy Cup race
(I did see him win an Xfinity series race), I always root for him to do well
because of his connection to KLOVE and Christianity.
My son Parker loves McDowell as well. With
his autism he has every driver, every car number, every sponsor and every crew
chief memorized. Parker does play by play announcing for each NASCAR race we
watch in our humble abode.
He has an autographed poster of McDowell hanging
in his room. And he proudly wears his KLOVE racing shirt to school or church or
even Disnelyand (see photograph below). We even took a tour of the KLOVE
station in hopes of scoring some Michael McDowell swag.
KLOVE, I believe, sees their NASCAR vehicle
as an outreach effort, hoping to make more NASCAR fans familiar with their
radio station’s Christian music and gospel message. I think it is a unique and
admirable outreach mission. It reminds me of the apostle Paul telling the
Corinthian church he desires to become anything and everything that might help
someone find faith in Christ. And that is always a mission we should drive
across the finish line.
APPLICATION:
Who is God calling you to reach with his
gospel message? What mission field (or racetrack) do you need to join or
support? How can you become all things to all people so that you might lead
some to Christ? Pray over these verses in 1st Corinthians and see
where God leads and what doors he opens. And then tell yourself to do it, “for
the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.
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