.
As we get to crunch time and prepare for the stretch run, how’s it going?
How has the season played out for you? Are you where you thought you would
be? Did things go the way you planned them? Greetings in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Things don’t go the way we plan. Things don’t play out the way we hoped.
Making the adjustments is a necessary part of the deal. How do we respond in
the heat of the moment?
Sometimes things get heated up at the track. Sometimes we don’t respond
in a way that honors God. We need to remember, even in the heat of the
moment, that we belong to God. We need to remember that we need to reflect
his character not ours.
One of the most challenging things to do in racing is to keep your
composure when everything around you is going crazy. When we develop that
composure we go a long way toward responding in a way that honors God.
What does it take to win a race? It’s hard to put your finger on it. You
need a fast car, but the fastest car doesn’t always win. You need a car that
can get out front and lead, but the car that leads the most laps doesn’t
always win the race. You need the skills and talent to drive a racecar, but
the most skilled driver doesn’t always win. Surely a skilled team that can
make the necessary changes during the race would win, but the best team
doesn’t always win. We’ll as you can see putting your finger on the
necessary ingredients to win is a difficult task.
What does it take to win? I guess that depends on the race you are
running. It helps if we stop and remind ourselves of the race that we are
running. Remembering that there is always a bigger picture.
In racing all the things mentioned above are necessary, we need them to
come together on race day and but that still doesn’t guarantee victory. We
need to run the race. Things happen during the race that will have a
significant impact on the outcome.
Looking back to Bristol, having handling problems on lap two and ending
up in the hauler wasn’t in the plans of the #2 modified team. The other
teams affected by it also had their race changed. We can prepare and plan
but when the green falls the race is on. How will our race go?
Running the race properly involves responding to situations in a way that
honors God. If we do not handle ourselves correctly we do not run the race
properly.
1Corinthians 9:24-27, Do
you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the
prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown
that will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a
man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to
others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
JI am reminded of the story of David and
Goliath. If we look at the two competitors the race was over before it
began. On one side we have the giant Goliath, an experienced fighter and
intimidating. On the other side we have a Shepard boy with no armor, just
his sling and staff. There was however so tipped the scales in David’s
favor, God. Goliath fought with his own strength and power. David fought not
only with his strength and skill, but also with the blessing of God. You see
to run the race in a way as which to win, you must race within the will of
God.
God blesses us when we follow His direction. When we choose to take
things on with our own strength and understanding we are not running in a
way as which to win. Paul points out three things that are important.
Don’t run aimlessly. In order to win the race we must know where the
finish line is and the way to get there. God provides a direction for us.
Seek Him out and follow His guidance. He is the best crew chief going.
Don’t fight against things that are not there. Too many times we spend
our energy worrying about things that haven’t even happened. We get anxious
and try to predict the future, don’t get caught up chasing the shadows of
things that are not there. Deal with what is real and rely on the wisdom and
strength of God.
Don’t be disqualified. We reason our way out of doing the things that are
right. We find excuses to justify the choices we make. We cannot let
ourselves give in to our selfish desires, but instead we must do what is
right. We can justify anything we do with many reasons, but that doesn’t
make it right. We must do what is right in the eyes of God.
Paul adds that there is a way to respond that honors God. We need to
reflect the character of God when we run the race. Only then can we have
victory even in defeat.
Ephesians 4:1a-3, I urge
you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely
humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the
unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Some of those we race against are full of
themselves. They strut around like they are so great. They are full of pride
and arrogance. I am here to tell you if you get drawn into that thought
process you will never win the race. Don’t get me wrong you can still be
competitive and a tenacious combatant and still honor God. The secret is not
to think more of yourself than you ought to. Look at David and how he was
able to be victorious over Goliath.
Goliath laughed at him when he walked on the battlefield. Goliath
insulted him and the nation he represented. Goliath didn’t take him
seriously. David wasn’t defeated by the arrogance of Goliath. He placed a
rock in his sling and flung one stone striking Goliath in the forehead and
killing him.
We need to remember what we have been called to and run the race in a way
that will honor God. We will not wilt when the circumstances seem to be
overwhelming, the pressure seems too much. Whatever we do will prosper, we
will taste victory. Look forward to experiencing God’s blessings. Run in
such a way as to win!
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ROLL THE DICE - Riverhead II is
in the books. Riverhead is one of those places that you love and hate. The
racing is full contact, close and fast. Sometimes you are on the good side,
sometimes the bad. In the heat of a championship race your hope is to get
out with still a chance to run for the title. Riverhead can leave you on the
outside looking in.
With a slim two point lead coming out of the Bristol washing machine,
Ryan Preece hoped his experience at the 1/4 mile Long Island Bull Ring would
be an advantage. Woody Pitkat was hoping to bring home the win for his
sponsor who also was the sponsor for the night of racing. Both hoped this
race would not end their run for the championship.
They both qualified mid pack and fought hard to finish in the top ten.
Pitkat cut Preece’s lead in half, one slim point separates the two heading
into the New Hampshire race. Both are on the list of potential winners and I
wouldn’t be surprised to see another nose to tail finish. This is shaping up
to be a fantastic race to the end.
PRAYERS NEEDED - A couple of folks in the modified community are
in need of our prayers;
Gracie Ryan - I received word that Gracie passed peacefully Monday
morning with family at her side. Please keep Mike and the entire family in
your thoughts and prayers. Details will be on her Facebook page.
Brian Timmerman - Brian is a Wall Stadium track worker is having
some complications from his recently amputated leg. He is dealing with an
infection. Please lift him up in your prayers
Michael Pares - Modified photographer suffered a leg injury at
Thompson and is in the process of getting back on his feet. Keep him in your
prayers.
I am off for a weekend of family fun in Maine for the holiday. It will be
the first time we are all together. Looking forward to making memories. Blue
Hill Fair here we come!
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
|
