The Christmas Tree

This Christmas Tree is one that you will find in between the two lanes at a Drag Racing Strip. It is actually a light system used at the starting point of a race. Its pretty simple really, When you pull up to the starting line, the first two lights will indicate when you are in the right starting position, and when the yellow lights come on and count down, you better be ready, because green comes next, and that means "GO"! True, it is a simple concept, but I have learned that there is a lot more to it than just that. With Top Fuel cars that push 7500+ horsepower, and have the ability to run 1/4 mile times in less than 4 seconds, the Christmas Tree becomes a very critical part of the race. In many of these high speed drag races, it is the drivers reaction time that wins him the victory. If a driver "jumps" the start, or crosses the starting line before the green light comes on, he is disqualified, and the win goes to the other driver. This is called a "Redlight", because of the red light that will signal that the driver broke the starting plane before the race/timer began. Drivers must spend lots of their time practicing their "launch" off the starting line, getting their reaction to the lights down as quick as they can without red-lighting. Its has always amazed me how races are often won, just because of that split second reaction to the Christmas Tree.

 I think that our lives are a lot like the Christmas Tree mentioned above. Our lives are also very short in comparison to eternity. We are often tempted to say, "Life is short, so I will do all that I can, and I will do what I want!" But just like the time spent at the starting line is so critical, so is the time that we are given on earth! It is this time that God has given us to prove ourselves. What we choose to do in this life will greatly affect our life hereafter. Just like that split second is so important to the race, our little choices we make in this short life are also so important.

   Every choice we make will have an eternal affect on the welfare of our souls. We must remember what Lehi teaches us in the Book of Mormon, "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;"

We have that privilege to choose for ourselves. It is my prayer that this Christmas season we will remember who to follow, and what choices will bring us nearer to our Heavenly Father. Amen