How listening to the Holy Spirit helps you navigate life’s obstacles
High above the stadium, someone watches cars zip around the racetrack.
Each NASCAR team has a spotter, who acts as the eyes of the driver. Spotters are one of an essential member of the crew, keeping in constant communication with their drivers using two-way radios.
Our lives are like a race that God wants us to win (1 Corinthians 9:24-26). We perform at our best when we listen to Jesus and do what He says.
We don’t race alone. Just like a race car driver has a spotter, we have guidance from the Holy Spirit, who works in us to keep us connected to Jesus (Psalm 143:10).
Five Ways the Holy Spirit is Like a NASCAR Spotter
1. Spotters provide better perspective.
From their bird’s eye view above the crowds, spotters see the big picture. They offer perspective racers can’t see from their position on the track, in the heat of the moment.
We see with a limited viewpoint in the here and now, but the Holy Spirit helps us see how things really are (Psalm 33:13-15).
2. Spotters warn drivers and help them through trouble.
Spotters help drivers get safely around the track and stay focused on the end goal. They keep drivers aware of track condition and if there are upcoming accidents or delays.
Just as a spotter watches the driver’s blind spots and says when it’s safe to maneuver or pass, God instructs us through each difficulty we encounter. The Holy Spirit helps us see that beyond our challenges now, there is something greater to look forward to (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
3. Spotters have wisdom from first-hand experience.
Many spotters are former drivers. They’ve faced the obstacles current drivers face, so they know how to get through the race.
Jesus knows what we’ve been through because He spent time on Earth, too (Hebrews 4:14-16). He knows the feelings of struggle and victory. The Holy Spirit reminds us what we’ve already learned and instructs us through the choices we make to win the race (John 14:26-27).
4. Spotters may seem invisible to the driver, but they’re invaluable.
Drivers don’t see their spotters during the race, but they hear their voices guiding them on the track.
Sometimes it’s hard to see God in the midst of our overwhelming situations, but He’s still with us. Like a driver trusts the spotter, we can trust the Holy Spirit leading us through each segment of our lives.
God cares more about our progress than our perfection.
5. Spotters want what’s best for drivers: to win.
Success in the race depends on the relationship between a driver and spotter. It’s more dangerous to everyone else when a driver doesn’t listen to the spotter.
We learn to navigate our circumstances by staying in constant connection with God. When we don’t listen to the Holy Spirit, we veer off course and cause damage to ourselves and other people because of sin.
We’ll inevitably make mistakes on the track, but He doesn’t give up on us. God cares more about our progress than our perfection. That’s the reason He helps us — because we can’t win on our own!