We can get to a place in life where things just seem
disorganized. We try but we just don’t seem to be able to get our hands
around things. Things seem to be moving in different directions from what we
would like. We struggle to find our focus. Greetings in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was talking to a crew chief the other day about the way his car
was handling and he shared with me that they came to the track with a new
setup and had been trying to dial it in. They were not having much success
but were committed to work through it. I was amazed when he said they
couldn’t even go as fast as the “old” setup. I was confused.
If you try something and it doesn’t work why not go back to what
you know works? The effort and time spent trying to make something work on
race day seems like a waste. It only teaches you what you can’t do. It
demonstrates a loss of focus. Take a step back and rethink the reason why
you came to the track that day, to race. Not only to race but to win!
I understand you have to try new things and when you try, you may
find something out, but that type of activity is for a test session, not
race day. There is a time and place for every activity and we need to be
aware of the situation and focus on the desired result.
Losing focus applies to every aspect of our lives. We need to
remind ourselves what it is that we are doing and focus on the activities
that support that. Sometimes we get distracted from our mission. We need to
take a step back and refocus.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us;
Hebrews 2:1 - We must pay
more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not
drift away.
Have you ever noticed that what you focus
on is likely to become where you end up? Daryl Shoemaker tells us about how
he learned this lesson.
On a recent summer vacation I enjoyed a round of golf with, for the
purpose of this story, an unnamed family member. While standing by a tee
box, we admired all of the beautiful homes and their immaculately landscaped
patios that backed right onto the left side of the fairway. My golf partner
indicated that the homeowners complained at length about golf balls hitting
their homes. However, it had not been a problem for him as he followed the
sage golfing advice - don't focus on the home, tree or water, but instead
focus on the place where you want your shot to land. That makes sense. You
always hear about how pro athletes are successful in part because they are
able to visualize the play. He went on to effectively demonstrate this
principle, as after 5 minutes of looking at the homes, he managed to hit a
250 yard shot right into the back of the home furthest from the fairway.
Actions follow thoughts. It is not that we should ignore the
challenges that face us. However, it is a question of focus. We need to
remember the situation we are in. Remind ourselves of the right focus.
When our focus is correct, the obstacles remain in our periphery,
the risks become secondary. If our focus is on our purpose the path does not
seem so long. While we focus on the reward the cost will seem small.
What is it that we need to be focused on? We need to remind
ourselves that we are to be about the Lord’s work. Don’t let things distract
you from what God requires. I refer back to the writer of Proverbs when I
get things out of focus on my life.
Proverbs
3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Are we a little out of focus? Take a step
back and look at where we are expending energy. Ask yourself if you are
moving in the direction that God wants you to. Make the necessary adjustment
to get things back on track.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
NHMS - What a contrast between races.
We were at NHMS with both touring divisions this past weekend and the races
couldn’t have been more opposite. The Whelen Modified Tour race was a
classic. The racing was close and competitive. The winner took the lead in
turn three and four of the last lap. The leader going into turn three
finished third. This was one of those that you had to stay till the end to
see the finish.
The K&N Pro Series East had some challenges to overcome. Just 34
laps in the point leader was in the garage, done for the day. Dylan
Kwasniewski was not sure what happened but he knew his day was done. This
tightened up the points race with Brett Moffitt closing to within 23 points
of the lead with two races to go.
As always NHMS pushes us to the limit with the schedule and the
number of teams to deal with. With the K&N driver’s meeting during the
introductions for the Modified race that stretched us even more. If we
didn’t get to talk we have a couple more races to try. Track us down; we are
always willing to chat.
This week we have another double header. We will head to Dover for
the K&N East on Friday and then back to Stafford Motor Speedway for the Fall
Final on Saturday and Sunday. The season is winding down and the point races
are heating up. Get out there and take in some live racing, there’s nothing
like it!
THOMPSON UPDATE - I took a ride earlier this week out to
Thompson to check things out. The Road Course is coming along. They have it
all roughed in and the base down, looks like it is ready for the binder coat
of asphalt. The infield garage is all framed and ready to be closed in along
with the scoring tower. The pavement is also down on part of the infield
where the garage is located. Looks like they are progress well ahead of
schedule; it will look very different come World Series time.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that
God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
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