[Please take a moment to watch the interview with Denny Hamlin.]
You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for human anger does not produce God’s righteousness. James 1:19-20
A few weeks ago, during the last lap of the Cookout 400 NASCAR race in Richmond, VA, a wild scene played out in the final turn. Joey Logano was leading the race to the finish, when Austin Dillon bumped his right rear and sent Joey spinning. As this was happening, Denny Hamlin quickly moved up from third place to make a run to cross the finish first, and Austin sent him spinning into the wall. It was a mess. The broadcast team covering the race assembled their on track reporters to get reactions from the drivers on the final lap.
Austin was thankful for winning. Joey had some choice words for Austin’s move that wrecked him. Then, as the camera showed us Denny Hamlin standing next to his car on pit road, the reporter asked, “Denny, as a spokesman for the sport, do you feel like a line was crossed tonight and maybe that’s too far?”
I thought this was a great question for two reasons. One, it was addressing the most likely review of Austin’s move by NASCAR. Two, it was a great reminder to Denny of his role as a spokesman for NASCAR. Did this reminder make a difference in his response? Did it cause him to pause a bit, so that he could be quick to listen, slow to speak, [and] slow to anger, before sharing his commentary?
Friends, as disciples in the world today, we are spokespersons for Jesus Christ. Our words absolutely matter as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:29 to use words that build up and do not tear down. John Wesley gives us the General Rules as another way for us to remember to do no harm and do good, which serve as a helpful guide for our tongues, especially when we are caught up in a particular moment full of our emotions.
I remember my kindergarten teacher explaining to our class how counting to three before speaking can be helpful in situations when we are angry. There can be lots of emotions among a class full of five year olds and I’m guessing this was a helpful management tool she was using to help out our efforts to learn each day. As an adult, I have adapted the 3 second rule, using these words:
Father
Son
Holy Spirit
Quietly saying these words becomes a breath prayer to help me follow James’ instructions, reminding me to practice holy habits as I attempt to live my life as a reflection of Christ in me. I offer them for you, as they might become a centering prayer for you.
Blessings,
David