What does it mean to be focused? What we focus on and what we choose to set
as priorities define our life. Circumstances as a result of the choices we
make help us to refocus and reprioritize our lives. What are our priorities
in life? What are we focused on? Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
At Monadnock I witnessed the most focus I have seen on the racetrack in
many years. The race went green to checker without a caution. Not 30 or 40
laps but 200 laps. Not a wide, spacious track but a quarter-mile Bullring!
Each driver had to be focused on the task, no mistakes and no issues. That
is driving with focus!
Being a successful racer requires being focused and setting the right
priorities. We work hard at getting everything in order. Take a look at the
teams that win. I think you will find that they have an organized and
focused effort. Their preparation shows in the results they have on the
track.
How about life? Do we give any thought to living a life focused on the
things that really matter? Or do we just let it come to us? Do we just go
along without a focus or priority? Life has a way of overwhelming us. The
circumstances of the choices we make are not always what we planned. How do
we overcome the results of our choices? Having the right focus and
priorities is the place to start.
Think about the makeup of a championship team. First you need someone who
leads; someone that everyone on the team can follow. Someone who knows what
must be done to win. Then you need those willing to follow; teammates who
are willing to make the sacrifice and follow for the benefit of the team.
Add to that the resources to accomplish the task and you begin to have what
it takes to win.
When the leader has the wrong focus the team loses its direction.
Everyone has their own idea and decides they know best. The team splinters
and isolates itself into little clicks. The unity, focus and priorities are
not there to produce the desired result, winning.
Have you ever gotten to a point in your life that you ask the question,
how did I get here? You thought you had everything under control. You
thought you could handle anything that would come your way. Then you find
yourself wondering how it all went wrong.
We live our lives thinking we have all the answers. We think we are in
control. When the bottom falls out we realize that we actually control very
little.
It is said that we won’t change until we can’t handle the consequences of
our choices. When we hit bottom and look up we see the overwhelming
consequences of living life our way. We cry out for help. God provides that
answer.
Let me ask a question, who knows better how to live the best life
possible than the creator of life Himself? No one. If our desire is to live
the best life possible our focus must be on God. God has a set of priorities
for our lives. The first step is to recognize our need for Him.
Wouldn’t it be great to do this before we end up in a situation that is
over our head? God’s offer has always been available but somehow we feel we
can get through this life without His help. Our focus should not be on
ourselves but it should be on God.
Remember when you were learning how to setup a race car? Where did you go
for help? Some of us thought we could figure it out. We tried and tried but
we needed help. Did you wait until you spun out and hit the wall? Did
someone come over and try to help you only to be told you didn’t need it.
You thought you knew it all. When you figured out you didn’t who did you ask
for advice? You probably asked the person you thought had it all figured
out.
The same is true for life. It is better if we start off trusting God, but
no matter when we figure out we need Him, he is there. Do you know the best
part? God doesn’t say “I told you so”. He welcomes you in, forgives your sin
and gives you the right to become a child of God. We serve a truly awesome
God.
I am reminded of Peter and the story of Jesus walking on water.
Matthew 14:25-31, During the fourth watch of
the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a
ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be
afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward
Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out,
"Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little
faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
Jesus points out a couple of things that keep us from trusting him, fear and
doubt. We don’t believe that God’s way is the best way. We somehow feel we
know best until we end up at rock bottom.
Peter said, Lord, if it is you tell me to come. Jesus said come. Peter
walked on water. Then he lost his focus. He started to think about
everything but Jesus and who he was. He started to sink.
It is also important to remember how Jesus responded. He didn’t push
Peter down or condemn him for doubting. Jesus picked him up and put him back
on the boat. He offers us the same forgiveness. He can and will answer our
call for help.
Who are we focused on? What is our priority in life? Is it pleasing God?
Is it living in a way that brings honor and praise to God? I encourage you
to trust God before you get in too deep. Peter didn’t wait until he went
under to call for help and we shouldn’t either. Call on God for guidance and
direction. He will answer your call and reach out to you. He will set you on
the right path, the path that leads to abundant life.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
INSTANT
CLASSIC - The Inaugural 5KSK is in the books and this is what ESPN would
label an Instant Classic! Somewhere, somehow there has to be a recording of
this one and someone should release it on YouTube or something. This was one
of the most exciting, start to finish, races I have seen in a long time, bar
none.
I confess, my attention wanders when the action doesn’t hold me. I tend
to move on. I never left trackside for this one. The official line says 20
lead changes, but the real number was much higher. It seemed that every turn
saw a different leader. One car was good in one and two, while another was
good in three and four. The drag races down the straightaway were second to
none. You would have been hard pressed to find a lull in the action.
Don’t let anyone tell you race fans only come to watch the crashes, 24 of
the 27 starters finished and the racing was side-by-side, nose to tail,
closer than you park in the parking lot. No one wanted to take themselves
out with foolish behavior. I think this is what Jack Arute Sr. had in mind
when he envisioned this division. For the folks who don’t care for SK’s you
missed a great one. Congrats to the #99 team, Kelly, Bob and Rowan.
WATERFORD FUN - I headed to Waterford Speedbowl for the Shane
Hammond Memorial and received an unexpected blessing, fill-in pacecar
driver. With the crew at Waterford needing a pacecar driver for the night I
was called upon to do the honors. Thanks, I enjoyed every minute of it. It
is always exciting to have a front row seat and in addition I could be there
in Victory Lane with the NEMA Family. God is Good!
SEEKONK AND LEE - Our other Chaplains were out and about this past
week, Bobby Somers shared as he, Scott Martin and Vinetta attended a couple
classics. On Wednesday Scott Martin and myself, Bobby Somers, were on hand
for the final TRI TRACK OPEN Modified show at Seekonk. What a great track to
have the final race at, The Concrete Coliseum, Seekonk Speedway. Two plaques
were given at the drivers meeting to Dick Williams and Jim Shaffer in
recognition for putting this three track event show together.
With 43 cars on hand and only 24 getting into the $10,000 finale, racing
math says there is the potential to be whole lot of torn up sheet metal and
cars. Well it didn’t happen. The drivers ran with respect in the heats and
consi’s. The feature had a handful of cautions and some incredible side by
side racing; the winner was crowned with a $10,000 check and the victory
lane smoke show was an event all by itself. The #09 of Tommy Barrett took
first, 2nd place to Jon McKenndy and finishing 3rd Matt Hirschman.
On Friday afternoon Vinetta and I ventured to LEE USA Speedway as they
welcomed the Granite State Pro Stocks. This was a first for Vinetta and I to
serve the GSPS with RWJM. Well God certainly provided the moments and it was
an opportunity to share time chatting with drivers and family. One special
moment of the evening occurred as we were walking along praying with the
drivers before their feature. I saw several people gathered in a circle,
arms stretched around each other with Vinetta leading a couple teams in
prayer. It’s simply a blessing to serve in moments like these, words just
can’t describe.
I never doubt a moment at the track, because I know we will be guided by
God in the way he wants us to move. When we choose to go in the direction
God would want us to walk we see His presence and are blessed such as
tonight. We want success immediately but sometimes we are not pleased with
the results and give up because it wasn’t good enough. When we seek Jesus in
our life it isn’t second best or just something to patch an issue. It’s the
best for us and the blessings are something beyond what we had considered.
As I sat Wednesday with a modified driver we talked about trials and
blessings; why we finish where we did in a race. How things happen in our
lives outside of racing. We can’t let our racing season smother us and lose
focus of other things happening around us.
We all hear it all the time. I worked on my car all week and it’s still
not right. Did you pray about it? I am having problems with finding
employment. Did you pray on it? My health isn’t well; doctors can’t seem to
find out what’s happening. Did you pray on it? Things at home are not going
well. Did you all gather at table before you eat and pray on it? I pray that
you will seek Christ, you will take a few moments, let your plan go, follow
Christ’s plan for you, seeking his plan in prayer.
IOWA ON THE HORIZON - The K&N guys get back in action this week at
Iowa Speedway. Our Mid-West Chaplain, Mike Kray, will be there for RWJM as
we get ready for the mid August race chaser national; Stafford/Watkins Glen
to Thompson to Virginia International to Bristol. Sounds like fun, looking
forward to seeing you on the road.
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.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084.
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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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