.
I don’t get mad, I get even! I know some folks who live that way, are you
one of them? We want the right to get back at those who harm us. We want to
see them get what we think they deserve. Many times we want to be the one
inflicting the justice. What do you think Christ would say? Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Getting even, claiming our rights, making sure we are treated fairly are
all things each one of us expect. Our country was built on the premise that
we each have certain unalienable rights. When we are mistreated or taken
advantage of we want justice.
What is justice? We want it for others but for us we prefer forgiveness.
I remember a meeting I had once between a veteran and a young driver. The
young driver was brash and bold. He drove his race car without regard for
the other competitors. This veteran was on the receiving end of one of those
acts of defiance. It could have cost him his life.
By all accounts the veteran could have done many things to that young
driver and be totally justified. Instead there was a tone of forgiveness in
his voice. He talked calmly to the young man. He explained how in his early
days he drove the same way. When someone drove him hard he would respond
harder. He didn’t care who it was. He shared how one day he intentional
crashed someone and they got hurt. He shared how difficult it was to go and
tell the family what he had done. From that day on he lived and raced with a
different agenda.
He explained that in his younger days he would have done the same thing
but now knowing what he knows, he responds differently. He told the young
man he was forgiven and encouraged him to change the way he drove because he
didn’t want him to have to go through what he did.
Sometimes we want revenge when we should show compassion. Listen to what
Christ has to say about it;
Matthew 5:38-42;
"You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I
tell you,
Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak
as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one
who asks you,
and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Turn the other cheek, this is where it originated.
Jesus gave us that instruction when we are faced with the prospect of
getting even. This is a very difficult instruction for us to deal with
because it puts the control out of our hands. We want to decide what
judgment is exercised against those who mistreat us.
In this world we have become accustomed to revenge. Revenge can be a
tremendous burden on our lives. When you think about it, does it really
solve anything? Sure you might feel good for a moment but the truth be told
revenge just opens the door to a vicious cycle that will not end. Revenge
only leads to more pain and misery.
God gives us an option, let go and let God. Jesus wants us to realize
that we need to turn it over to God. He wants to release us of the burden of
trying to control things. Some of us are control freaks and we need to be in
control of everything. Jesus wants us to relinquish control to him and live
free of that burden.
We carry all kinds of burdens in our lives. We can confuse
responsibilities with burdens. Responsibilities only become burdens when we
lose focus on God. Releasing those burdens will set us free to focus on our
responsibilities. That in turn puts our focus right back on God.
Sometimes we are in denial, we don’t feel we are burdened at all. If you
don’t think it’s a burden try releasing it. Let the day come to you. Don’t
try to control things just let them happen. Let the other guy go first. Let
someone cut in front of you. If you begin to get uncomfortable then it’s a
burden.
We think that we need to set the record straight, make things right, get
what is due us. We feel somehow that we are the only ones who understand. We
want to have the last word. We want to be E.F. Hutton, when we speak, people
listen.
As I get older I realize that I forget things easier. It occurred to me
that I might just be figuring things out. I may just be forgetting the
things that are not healthy to remember. I ask God now, if I need to
remember something, put it on my mind. If it’s not on my mind, it is not a
burden, God has it under control.
I think we would all be better off developing a memory that forgets the
things that burden us. We need to simplify life, see the good, celebrate the
blessings, and forget the garbage. Forgetting is freeing, turning the other
cheek has a way of simplifying life. We have more time to focus on the good.
Don’t repay evil with evil, turn the other cheek. Do the unexpected,
don’t get even. Try it out this week and see if things don’t turn out
different. They will and you will be released from your burden to set things
straight. Let go and let God.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
TOO MANY GOODBYES - Over the past
week or so I have spent more time than I would like saying goodbye to
members of the racing family. It seems we go through these times when
everywhere we turn people’s lives are dealing with grief. I am glad to be
able to provide some comfort but it is never an easy transition from this
life to the next.
The fact remains the transition from this life to the next awaits all of
us. With that comes the families and friends left behind. Let me encourage
you not to leave any doubt how you feel about them, how much they mean to
you. How much they have been a part of your lives. It is the most important
thing we can do.
This past weekend gave us just that opportunity, as we remembered the
woman that gave of themselves so that we could have life, our mothers. We
reflect on the sacrifices made to make us who we are. No matter what our
life has been we should be thankful for those who gave it to us.
These weekends can be difficult for those who have strained relations, or
those who never had the chance to say how much others meant to them. Don’t
regret that, make the time to share how much the lives of others have
touched yours.
Not sure where the road leads this week, hoping for a little home time. I
will out at Stafford on Friday night as Scott is headed to Williams Grove
for the World of Outlaws. We are here to meet your needs, please let us know
how we can help.
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.
Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
See our on-line Apparel
Store for subscription information.
Check our home page
http://www.rwjm.com for past
articles.
We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book.
Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
financial support.
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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
|
