.
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. As we start to look at the topic of forgiveness let
us first understand who we are. 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 these
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 intentionally
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 said to the young driver 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.
You see 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.
If you don’t think it is 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 you are a control freak. It is a burden.
Forgiveness is a difficult thing, only when we understand our reluctance
to completely forgive can we start to fully understand what Christ did for
us on the cross. “Father forgive them”
The burden of judgment belongs in one place, God’s hands. He alone has
the wisdom to decide our fate. He has chosen to provide the option of
forgiveness. Will we?
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 we will be released from our desire to control
things, our burden of wanting justice.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
GUILTY - As I sit here in Florida I feel
a little guilt for not being in the Northeast going through the challenges
winter brings. I’ll be back soon enough. When I get back I have some stories
to share, watch for them.
VOLUSIA, NEW SMYRNA AND BUBBA - We have spread out across central
Florida. We had three Chapel services and the word of God is being
proclaimed! Thank you for your support and prayers.
In addition we received a request to have another service for the WoO
Late Models at Volusia this Saturday. Please keep that in prayer,
A couple of days to go and more visits on the schedule, keep your prayers
and support coming, they are needed. I’ll fill you in on the details in the
coming weeks.
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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