.
The new season has started. Questions have started to be answered. Who will
have success? Who will be successful? These are two similar questions but
with very different answers. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Having success is different for each team. Some will judge the season a
failure if they don't end up with the championship. Some are looking just to
improve over last year's performance. Some are looking for seat time and
finishing the race in one piece is judged a success. Whatever our standard,
being a success is different for each one of us.
Being judged successful however is a different thing altogether. You know
there are two different ways of looking at things, our way and God's way.
When we judge success in earthly terms we focus on accomplishments and
status. We look at awards and recognition. We judge success based on
performance.
When we look at success from a Biblical viewpoint we focus on those who
have submitted themselves to God. We don’t look at performance we look at
willingness. Are we willing to serve God and follow His will? Following
God’s will is the only way to be successful in this life.
Will you be successful? Many thought Jesus a failure as he hung on the
cross. They challenged Him to save Himself. They hurled insults at Him and
questioned His claim to be the Son of God. In the end Jesus accomplished
what He came to do, He gave His life so that we might have life. In a
passage of Scripture from the Gospel of Luke we can find some help in our
quest to be successful.
Luke5:1-11; One day as Jesus was standing by
the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to
the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the
fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the
one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then
he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished
speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets
for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and
haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their
nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to
come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they
began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said,
"Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions
were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and
John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon,
"Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their
boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
In chapter five Luke tells us of the calling of
the first disciples. We read about the calling of Simon Peter. He had just
finished a night of fishing and was cleaning up his nets. Think of it like
the end of a race. You had trouble and didn't finish, a DNF. You and your
crew are cleaning up and along comes this guy who wants to use your hauler
as a pulpit. After he is done speaking he starts to tell you how to set up
your car and how to win the next race. You look at him as if to say, "What
do you know about racing?" He says trust me and do what I tell you.
Reluctantly you agree. You set the car up and sure enough you run the
fastest you have ever run. Maybe there is something to this guy? Maybe I
should follow him?
Let's examine what has taken place. First we have to let Jesus in.
Whether it's our boat, our hauler or our life, we cannot be successful
without Jesus being a part of it. Once he is a part of our life we have to
let him have control. He will guide and direct us to what is right and just.
He will guide us to places we would not go on our own.
The best time to fish was at night and in shallow water. Jesus instructed
Simon Peter to put out to deep water in the middle of the day. Peter, like
us, questioned if Jesus knew what he was talking about. Jesus did and proved
it with a large catch of fish.
One of the most important lessons we can learn is that God has control
over things we do not. He has the ability to put things in place that are
beneficial for us. Sometimes that is a provision and sometimes it is
discipline. But in the words of the writer of Romans;
Romans 8:28, (NLT); And we know that God causes
everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are
called according to his purpose for them.
Let's review what we have talked about;
1) The first step to being successful is including Jesus. He must be a
part of our life.
2) We must allow Jesus to have control of the direction and decisions in
our life.
3) Jesus will guide us to people, places and things that we wouldn't have
met, gone or done if we didn't follow Him.
I would encourage you to spend some time this week reading and reflecting
on this passage of scripture. Next week we will look at this passage again
and see what further application we can find. Until next week keep the Son
in your eyes. Amen!
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE - The month of April has been a
whirlwind. The racing season kicked into high gear as winter gave way to
spring. We rolled into Thompson a few short weeks ago and close out the
month back in Virginia. One thing is for sure, I’ll need a vacation in May!
One of the greatest pleasures we have is spending time with the racing
community talking racing, life, hopes and dreams. I find it interesting how
things evolve. A few short years ago there was an absence of children
amongst the drivers, now we see families growing, babies being born, and new
generations of racers being raised. It is a tremendous blessing to see the
third and fourth generation of racing families come together, it spells hope
for the future of our sport.
I was taking with a soon to be Godmother at Stafford this past weekend,
herself a NASCAR official, as we looked forward to the dedication of Keith
and Cassie Rocco’s second child, Giuliana Marie, and she shared it may be
hard to get her brother KJ away from the cars long enough. We will be doing
the dedication at New London-Waterford Speedbowl and when KJ Rocco is at the
track his focus is on the cars! KJ is only a toddler but when Uncle Jeff put
him in his go-cart buggy his face lit up.
KJ is just one of the new racing generation that are now filling the arms
of their famous fathers. Bobby Santos and his wife are expecting soon. Then
there is Mason Goodale who can’t wait to show dad Eric how it’s done. I am
excited for the next generation coming up and hope to be around long enough
to see the smiles on their Great Grandparents face as the take the Checkerd
Flag in victory!
Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow has in store. Let me assure you
the future is bright and the steering wheel is in good hands. 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.
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.
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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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