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By Rev Don Rivers
Have you ever felt like a gerbil running on a never-ending wheel? Many times life is a blur, moving at a speed that is difficult to keep up with. We find ourselves being swallowed up. We struggle to focus on the things that are truly important. STOP! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have you ever seen twelve hours go as fast as it does on race day? The hours turn into minutes, the minutes into seconds and before you know it the checkered flag has fallen and it’s time to pack up and head home. This is especially true when you are chasing the setup or you are trying to repair some damage. The next thing you hear is the call for your heat or feature. Where does the time go?
We can get so caught up in chasing our tail that we forget to look around and enjoy the life we have been given. We set our sights on getting somewhere, doing something and it becomes all consuming. And then it ends.
This past week RWJM lost Chaplain, Flagman, and Servant of God, Scotty Frazier. He was a friend to all, a give you the shirt off his back kind of guy. It wasn’t expected and that makes it difficult. Scotty had a big heart and made it a point to find out what was going on in your life. He would ask you how you were doing and really want to know the answer. Often his first words were; “How can I help?” He was as genuine as they come and that showed through in everything; from the way he flagged to the way he prayed to the way he would give you his undivided attention in the midst of a busy pit area. He treated each one the same, with value and respect. Godspeed my friend, until we meet again.
When I look at the photos of my children and grandchildren, I am reminded time goes by all too quickly. I wonder sometimes if I spend enough time with them. I wonder if I have shown them the right way, the way of God.
We get caught up in things that seem important, things that need to get done, but in hindsight they were not the most important thing we could have done. We are guilty of placing importance on things that are not truly important. We lose our priorities. I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer;
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
Knowing the things we cannot change takes wisdom. It also takes experience. We need to be at peace with the fact that everything will not play out the way we planned. Even with that understanding we have an agenda and when it doesn’t go the way we planned we are disappointed. When things turn tragic, we grieve.
God promises us that He will provide for our needs. He has it all under control. We need only to trust Him. Proverbs explains it this way:
Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
There is too much life to live to be enslaved to the rat race. Try to avoid getting so busy with things that we forget about what God wants us to do. Try to avoid getting so busy surviving that we forget to take time to look around and see what others are going through. God promises to provide what we need to survive. God wants us to focus on what others are going through instead of focusing on ourselves.
If you have put your trust in yourself and your own understanding then you will be disappointed. Even if you accomplish everything you think you want you will still be missing something. It is God and God alone that can give you abundant life. Fulfillment in life comes only through Jesus Christ. No matter what we have, what we accomplish, what our social standing is, it will be incomplete without a saving knowledge of God through Jesus. Scotty knew that and desired to share that.
John 10:7-11; Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Do you see the promise contained in that verse? In Jesus we will find pasture, a place that supplies all our needs. Remember Psalm 23?
Psalm 23:1-3; The LORD is my shepherd, I have all I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
It is Jesus who brings abundant life, who leads us to green pasture, who restores our soul. The promise from God is one of abundant life; a full life that has no regrets, no dissatisfaction, a life that is complete, a life that honors Him.
Do we ever want to consider what God has for us? I encourage you this week to STOP. Take a step back and review your thoughts and actions. Ask yourself, who am I living for?
Don’t get consumed by the pressure to get things done. The line of the song says, “Life’s too long to live like this.” Focus on what is truly important. Focus on what will affect eternity. Focus on the things of God. Live in such a way as to be sensitive to the leading of God.
To do this we must step off the gerbil’s wheel and stop running so fast that life is a blur. We need to slow down and let things happen. Watch for where God is working and join Him there. God is the provider of time. The challenge is, He doesn’t share with us when our time is at an end. We must use the time we are given to find the blessings He has prepared for us. Don’t worry about your schedule. Let God set the schedule and decide what fits. Respond in a way that shows the love of Jesus that is in your heart.
We do not know what tomorrow will bring and all our plans, hopes and dreams will not make it’s coming any more certain. We expend so much effort trying to secure the future we overlook the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of those around us each day.
Maybe some adjustments are in order?
Psalm 118:24; This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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.
