.
As we continue looking at the character of God, humility comes to mind.
Humility isn’t something we are born with; it is something we need to
practice. One of the most difficult things to do in our lives is to yield to
someone else’s requests. Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
How easy is it to let someone pass you on the track? Even when your car
isn’t performing the way it should it is difficult to be passed by. It is
hard to face the fact that we are not the best car out there. We want to be
first, we want to be the one everyone follows.
In racing, the objective is to finish first. Everything we do is focused
on winning; getting to the finish line first. We practice and fine tune with
one hope in mind, that when the checkered flag flies we will be first.
Sometimes we want to be first at all costs. We will push and shove our way
to the front. Nothing will stand in the way of getting to the front first.
That thought process causes problems, not only for us but for others.
Think about all the people that we have pushed out of the way to get to the
front. How about the people we have run over? How many people have we
ignored because we are focused on what we want?
Have you ever noticed when you are out on the highway and you go to pass
someone they speed up so that it is harder to pass them. I see it more and
more each day when I am driving down the street, someone is at a side street
waiting to pull out and then it happens; they pull right out in front of
you. They drive a couple hundred yards and turn. Why couldn’t they wait? Why
was it necessary to risk an accident for a few seconds gained?
We have a desire in life to be first. We think we deserve to be in front
of everyone else. We have developed into a society that wants to be served.
Waiting is for someone else.
Think about what goes through your mind when you come up on a delay? We
start to analyze a way to get around it without waiting. We start looking
for shortcuts. We do not want to be inconvenienced or delayed. Is that
really what we should be thinking?
Jesus had some thoughts on being first:
Mark 9:33-35, They came to Capernaum. When he,
(Jesus), was in the house, he asked them,
"What were you arguing about on the road?"
But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the
greatest.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of
all."
I suggest we might take a moment and notice
what is going on around us. We should take a look around; look at what’s
going on, look at the people involved and maybe we can reach out and help
someone. We should take some time and put ourselves in someone else’s shoes.
When we put others first we start to understand the way Jesus looked at
things. Philippians 2: 5-8 tells us this;
Philippians 2: 5-8; Your attitude should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
WOW! What a high standard for us. Can we even
come close? Jesus did not ask us to do anything He wasn’t willing to do
himself. He laid down His life for us. With that in mind it makes my
impatience seem rather selfish. How come it is so difficult to wait for
someone or take time out of our agenda to consider others and the challenges
they face. Often times we have missed the opportunity to show the love that
God has for them.
God knows the battles that go on inside our hearts. He knows the struggle
we have between doing what is right and doing what we want. We all struggle
with them.
The blessing comes when we get beyond that; when we fall at the foot of
the throne of God and give Him control over our lives. We are blessed when
we submit to His authority. Do you remember this verse we studied in the
past?
Matthew 5:3; “God blesses those who realize
their need for Him, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Faith is demonstrated when we take ourselves
off the throne and put God there. To do this requires that we bow before
Him, humble ourselves and submit to His authority. We demonstrate our faith
in Him by serving others. When we can look outside ourselves to the needs of
others and do something about it we start to demonstrate the humility that
shows our faith.
James 4:10; “Humble yourself before the Lord
and He will lift you up.”
When we demonstrate our faith in God He lifts
us up above our worries and cares. God lifts us up and our lives are full,
satisfying and complete. We receive a crown that won’t fade or tarnish. We
are at peace, a peace that passes all understanding.
These verses contain one of the most important things we need to learn
and live as Christians. They teach us the very nature of Jesus, humility and
servant hood. Take some time this week and look around, instead of trying to
accomplish your agenda slow down and reach out to those in need. Show the
love of God to those you meet.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
HOME SWEET HOME - My favorite thing about being
on the road is coming home. Home is that special place where you can relax
and unwind. I needed to take a break from the action this week. Too many
nights away from home on the road and in a few weeks more on the horizon. I
apologize to those who missed me in Atlantic City or Marlboro, MA. I’ll be
out on the road again soon.
GOD’S PROVISION - We have several opportunities to touch the lives
of the racing community and it is all because of God’s provision. Thank you
for your continued support, both in prayer and financially. We can only do
these things as God leads others to provide for us.
Please consider how you might partner with us. Remember that the lives we
touch will never be the same again, for they have seen the love of Christ.
The best way to sum it up is an email we received from a member of the
racing community;
It was great meeting you at the track. I am a big fan of the work
you do. As I said, I think your ministry might be one of the toughest out
there...but you ARE making a difference. Keep up the good work! If you are
ever in Ohio in the Summer, come by Limaland Motorsports Park and say hi!
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
www.rwjm.com. 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
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