June 9, 2015

Don’t Count Me Out

by Ashley Jensen in Blog, Christianity, COMMUNICATE, LIFE

Don’t Count Me Out!

Rusty Wallace is the youngest guy in the NASCAR Hall of Fame but he is actually the oldest guy to compete in this year’s X-Games. Rusty Wallace quit NASCAR ten years ago and always felt he quit too early. People probably counted him out but he had the itch to keep racing because that’s all he’s ever done. Well this year, Rusty is in the X-Games Super Truck Series. Super trucks are way different than NASCAR but that’s what I love about this story. Here’s a guy who’s 58 years old and won just about everything you can in NASCAR and admittedly made a mistake by quitting too early but instead of returning to his first love of stock cars, He decides to have a go at something different. What a leader! What a fantastic example of someone who didn’t give up on his dream but instead found a different avenue to fulfill what he was created to do.

I can totally identify with Rusty in this story. I’ve made some costly mistakes but I have learned quite a bit through the process and keep bouncing back. I have a “friend” of mine tell me to just sit back and not be the come-back guy. Well no thanks. Lazarus came back from the dead and Jesus did too so we could live in pure power! So just following my Lord’s example I will come back and so will you. When people count us out God counts on us to come back. God loves the underdog, He loves to take what people count out and use them for the most spectacular of His causes. The crazy thing is I’m only 40 years old and I’ve had so many people dip on me relationally. It’s actually laughable! I’ve learned that we should never count people out. As I watched the story of Rusty Wallace coming back, I learned that he could give r ip of who was in his corner cheering him on or not. It doesn’t matter who is cheering you on when you are on your come back. Early on when I was church planting, I had so many people tell me how great we would do and how awesome it was going to be and then when things didn’t go according to plan, I look around and the people who were cheering us on are no where to be found. The lesson learned is that the crowd will chant your name one week and the next they will want to crucify you. Crowds are fickle but true friends are quietly cheering you on. I want to encourage you to not be counted out, don’t let anyone EVER count you out! This next season is going to be your best yet!

Declare it over yourself, “Don’t count me out!”

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Please leave your thoughts if you feel led and let’s continue the conversation! May God bless you!

One Comment

  1. Elizabeth Watson
    June 9, 2015 at 6:41 am

    Great Word! I’m inspired and encouraged, the BEST is yet to come! This next season is OUR SEASON! AMEN!

  2. Sharon Jensen
    June 9, 2015 at 9:28 am

    …when people count us out, God counts on us … I love that and I love you for your sweet, forgiving, loving heart … Saint Paul said it best .. If God be for me, what can mere man do to me … Can’t wait to hear the sermon God has given you on allowing Him to count on us …

  3. Ilona
    June 9, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    This really really helped me.. WOW.. .. hope you don’t mind if I share this… I .was saved aged 28 in 1999. I felt I had been robbed of a life with Christ since it had been such a battle and I had made so many mistakes I felt a lot of regret. Although my church is amazing all my friends were younger and even though they joked about God taking ten years off my age I felt really robbed for a long time I felt so sad and didn’t understand why God had left it so late for me. I got sick four years ago and hit rock bottom again and nearly lost my job due to not being able to work, i was bullied on my return and I was thinking what is going on??… then this amazing leader said to me..” its like no one ever told you you don’t have to fight anymore, let God fight for you, just rest in Him and be happy with who you are because Gods timing is perfect He makes NO mistakes” God gave me this verse “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans” I realised that its so vital to have a strong daily encounter with God and let Him take the battle, let Him put the right people in your life, who will encourage you and also He will restore ALL the years the locusts have eaten.. So thank you for this word it reminded me again.. God restores us beautifully,,

  4. Pat
    June 13, 2015 at 10:59 am

    Wonderful Encouragement ! Yes we should never give up! We have no idea of the great plans God has in store for us. Keep up the good work!

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