0
0
By Rev Don Rivers
What happens when things don’t go the way we think they should? Where is God when the storms of life come against us? Should we let circumstances separate us from Christ? If God is for us, who can be against us? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I use a phrase when I talk to new chaplains about the time it takes to build trust in the racing community; knit yourself into the fabric. In other words, weave yourself as a thread through the life that is the racetrack and the community that surrounds it. RWJM Chaplain Bob Menschner was that and more. His 50+ years at Wall Stadium he was the fabric. His hand touched everything and everyone. He took the time to talk with you, eat with you and more importantly pray with you. He had a great love for his track and shared that with everyone. He was the heart and soul of Wall Stadium.
Not only Wall, but ATQMRA and the Indoor Championship Racing Series as well. He worked alongside with a first in, last out, no job too big or too small attitude. And he was always there with a smile and prayer. He enjoyed serving the TQ midget racers and being a vital part of their family.
He also spread his wings the last ten years and headed out on the road traveling to Evergreen Speedway in Drums PA. He knitted himself into the fabric there as well, using his wide smile and laugh to open up opportunities to learn more about you and your life. This gave him the opportunity to pour into their lives, pray with them and become a part of their race family.
Bob loved racing and those who pursued it. He didn’t let anything hinder him. He treated everyone the same, valued in God’s eyes and lifted you up in prayer. His presence with us will be missed, but his memory and influence will not fade quickly. We will still expect to see him at Wall and somehow the raceday won’t seem complete without his prayers. I encourage you to lean on each other and remember to be a little bit like Bob, pray for each other and lift each other up. Bob was truly God’s servant and He now rests secure in His presence.
We are surrounded by circumstances and challenges not of our own choosing. The reality is most of what happens in life is beyond our control. Try as we might we are powerless to control many of life’s simplest tasks. So where do we turn when we realize we are not in control? We should turn to God. As Billy Graham was famous for quoting; “I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I do know who holds tomorrow.”
There is a passage in Romans 8:28-39 that outlines the presence of God in our lives. I encourage you to get your bible open and read it through. God desires to be with us and nothing can change that.
Let’s take a look at some of these verses;
Romans 8:28; 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.
God works in the situations in our life, the challenges we face, and the questions we ask, to accomplish His will. That will is not only good, but it is good for those who love God and belong to Him. Those of us who enter into a relationship with Him and submit to His guidance and direction will have a purpose, His purpose. The end result of that will be good. Good for you and good for others.
Romans 12:2; NLT; Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
We learn this when we let God change the way we think. If we are unsure we can ask.
James 1:5; NLT; If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
The challenge comes when we think the challenges we face in life separate us from God. They do not. In fact they should bring us closer. As we realize our need for God’s presence we should develop a greater trust and faith in Him. But we have a question…
Romans 8:35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
The answer is….
Romans 8:31b; If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:39b; indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therein lays the understanding that will get us through the storms of life. God is with us, He has a good plan for us and nothing can separate us from His love for us in Christ Jesus. Note that it all is God’s work, nothing we did or can do has a bearing on His presence in our lives. We do however need to engage Him. We do however need to come before Him, pray, listen and act according to His leading. Then we will experience the blessing He has prepared for us.
Philippians 4:8-9; NLT; And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Godspeed Bob, thank you for your wonderful expression of God’s loving, caring nature. We will miss you my friend, until we meet again. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
