.
Memorial Day is more than remembering. It is a challenge as to how we will
live tomorrow. Many events not only serve as reminders but inspire us to
consider the lives of others as we live our own lives. Life is precious and
fragile, let us commit to doing more to support and encourage. Greetings in
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The picnic, a favorite American pastime. A collection of lives that
reflect all that makes family, family and a few friends sprinkled in. As I
drove past the collection of cars at various gatherings I thought about the
lives we are given to live. Some had small gatherings. Others overflowed
into several houses on the street. Some were just private and others invited
the world in.
I thought back to a picnic in 1986, we lived in East Hartford CT, and it
was a race day. For the first time the Indy 500 would be shown live, Flag to
Flag. I brought the TV to the picnic. Picnics were good, but this was
historic after all it was the Indy 500.
Times have changed. As I watched the live feed on my handheld cell phone
driving home from church I reflected on the effort I went through that day
to watch a race. You young kids wouldn’t understand. TV’s were so big back
in the day they were furniture. Portable meant three guys and a truck!
As I watched Scott Dixon fly through the air, I was in awe and disbelief.
I knew this had the potential to turn out very bad. Helio Castroneves drove
under him as he sailed through the air. Slamming the wall with the side of
the car it burst into flames and started to roll. Flipping he came crashing
down on his head. The car came to rest on the edge of the track, right side
up, only one wheel left. Safety workers were there almost immediately. Scott
climbed out of the driver pod, stepped onto the track, waved to the crowd
and walked to the safety vehicle.
Amazed, I shared with my wife, who was driving. I remembered the lives
that had been lost at the Brickyard for much minor incidents. Later that day
she would watch the entire accident and share my amazement that the driver
walked away. Her comment as she watched was the same each time; “He walked
away?”
My mind reflected on all those who haven’t been as fortunate in racing.
Those who have suffered life ending injuries in the sport that I love. They
are the ones that paved the way for Scott Dixon to walk away. Then the
thought occurred to me, if he could walk away, why can’t all drivers be
protected?
Racing is one thing that not everyone gets. We live in our own little
world that revolves around driving in circles. We mourn those who have
blessed us with so many memories. We are excited about what the next race
holds. Some would say we are living the dream.
What about the rest of life, what about the lives that were given so we
could race? Not only the men and women that serve this country, but your own
family. No one races without their family being involved. Have you thought
about how much others give so that we can race?
Expanding on that when we look around there are many who are serving us
in one way or another. Think about the stores that are open, the restaurants
that serve, the gas stations and convenience stores, all there to serve us.
At times we take it for granted.
What about us, who are we here to serve? Who are we here to support? Who
are we here to encourage?
Mathew 20:20-28; Jesus
Teaches about Serving Others
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus
with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your
request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor
next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are
asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to
drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no
right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared
those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they
were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that
the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt
their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be
different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27
and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even
the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his
life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus reveals the greatest lesson we can learn,
servanthood. We want so much, we desire fame and fortune, and we want the
whole enchilada. Truth be told, to be great we must humble ourselves and
serve others. How’s that working out for us?
We honor the men and women that serve and sacrifice to give us freedom.
We hold in high regard those who satisfy our desire to be entertained by
performing death defying feats on the race track. We lift up our own family
for the sacrifices they make so we can pursue our dreams. What have we done
to serve others?
The secret to showing others how precious their lives are is to serve
them. Remember that picnic? Remember the people we surround ourselves with?
Why do we want them around? They mean something to us. They are precious in
our sight. We want to serve them. We want them to know how much we
appreciate them.
I challenge you to serve all mankind that way. To show the Love of God to
everyone.
1John 4:9-12; God
showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world
so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that
we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take
away our sins.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each
other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us,
and his love is brought to full expression in us.
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.
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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