.
I was asked the other day what my most favorite season was. I responded,
autumn, a time when we enjoy the fruits of our labors. A time when we
reflect on the efforts put forth. A time when we look back and remember the
race we have run. A time to get things in order. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We always look back at the races and events we experience with a filter.
Many times we remember the good times, they become bigger than life. Yes, we
remember the disappointments, but soon they are replaced with the memories
of better results, better days, and those victories we achieved along the
way.
Autumn is a time where we can enjoy the harvest, relax and reflect on the
race we have run. A time to evaluate and get things in order. Paul wrote to
Timothy in the autumn of his years;
2Timothy 4:7; I have
fought the good fight,
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
What does it mean to fight the good fight,
finish the race, and keep the faith? Those answers are different for all of
us. Each one of us has been uniquely created by God. Each one of us has a
unique path to walk prepared by God. Each one of us has a unique fight to
win.
Look around at the splendor of God's creation. I have seen over fifty
autumns in my years and not one has been the same, each one is unique. Not
only for the timing and the changing of the landscape, but each autumn I
look back on a different race I have run.
No two races are the same. No race can be predicted before it is run. We
have seen many surprising results. Even when we watch a winner cross the
finish-line that doesn't mean the race is over. Results change, lives change
and until the seasons change we cannot look back and count the race won.
God has an order to things in this world and he reveals that to us if we
take the time to look. Paul shared with us the order of things, battles to
fight, races to finish, faith to keep.
When we hit the racetrack we are there to run the race but in that, there
are many challenges we face. First is the setup, getting that right. Then
there is qualifying. Then there is the race and the battles that take place
as we try to move to the front. Do we face those fights with the right
perspective? Do we look at each battle as one to be won the right way, the
way that would please God?
Did we finish the race? How many races have we failed to finish? For
whatever reason we drop out, we don't have the perseverance to finish. That
may be because we didn't fight the battle in the right way. We may have kept
ourselves from finishing because of the way we fought the fight.
I have seen many a contender take himself out of the race by trying to
get even with another competitor. Fighting a good fight is important,
finishing the race is imperative. We cannot finish if we do not run in such
a way as to win. Are we looking toward finishing or just fighting the
battle? I have seen many that have won the battle and lost the war. God
asked us to look at the big picture. He asks us to let the little things go
and focus on finishing the race.
Herein lies the key, keep the faith. Paul explains that in every battle,
in every race there is one overarching goal, keep the faith. Faith in God,
not faith in our own abilities. We will not win every race, but we can
finish every race. We will not win every battle, but we can fight the good
fight. In the end we need to maintain our faith in God and know that He is
the one that determines if our efforts are true and faithful.
God has a master plan that will lead us to the most abundant life. Even
when we don't understand what is happening at the moment, we need to trust
that God does and has our best interest in mind. Sometimes losing the race
is better for us than winning. Win or lose we can always fight the good
fight, finish the race and keep the faith.
Romans 8:28; And we
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose
As autumn rolls on where do we find ourselves?
Can we look back on the season past and say we have fought the good fight?
Can we say we have finished the race? Have we kept the faith?
Next season will be here soon enough and the battles and races of this
year will soon be but a memory. What will be said of us? What will be said
of our efforts? Who will people say we served, ourselves or God?
Let me encourage you, there is time to take your life in a different
direction. If you look back and you don't see actions and words that honor
God he will forgive you. He has made a provision for that through Jesus
Christ. Make a commitment now to receive that forgiveness and move forward
in a way that will show your faith in God.
As we prepare for the next race take the right steps to get ready to
fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. Do it all to the
glory and honor of God. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is
Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support
helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
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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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