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By Rev Don Rivers
Almost 250 years ago we declared our independence from England. I wonder if we realize that we also declared our dependence. We succeeded as a nation because of our ability to join together and depend on one another. Dependance is what secures our freedom. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Happy Fourth of July! Looking forward to the holiday weekend, but let’s remember to take some time to remember what it took for us to break away and become an independent nation. It took our willingness to work together, agree on one common purpose and sacrifice everything we had to make it work. Sound like a race team?
Racing, in many ways, reflects the same character it took our great nation to break free from England. We first and foremost need to have a common goal. In most cases that is winning. When everyone is committed to making that happen the team starts to gel and become a cohesive unit. The chemistry is right. We all do our part for the good of the team.
What separates the best teams from the rest? The ability to work together, do what needs to be done and not pick apart the work of others on the team. Think of the teams that are always on the top. They are prepared to race; everyone has a job and does it. They can depend on each member to pull their weight. The end result can be a championship, or two.
When we develop the trust in one another, learn what our task is and focus on doing that, we will succeed. When we are more concerned about nit picking and finger pointing, we do not succeed. Let me ask a question, are we dependable? Can people depend on us to do what we are supposed to do? Are we doing what we were created to do?
That last question may seem a little out of place on a race team. You may be asking the question, was I created to be a tire specialist? Yes, God created each one of us unique and equipped each one of us with special talents. What would happen if the tire guy wanted to drive or tune the engine? The members of the team would be out of place. If you are the tire guy, be the best tire guy possible. Let me explain.
Paul wrote about the topic, one body, many parts, let’s read what he says;
1 Corinthians 12:12-26: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
God created us to be different and unique. He gave each of us a task to do and put in each of us the necessary abilities to accomplish those tasks. If we seek God out and ask Him to show us the tasks He wants us to accomplish, He will. This is called being in God’s will. Ephesians 2:10 confirms that for us.
Ephesians 2:10; NLT; For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
The blessing we receive from being in God’s will is tremendous. It includes inner peace, joy, satisfaction, fulfillment and hope. Take a look inside our heart. Do we have those blessings there?
God didn’t create us as Lone Rangers. We were created to depend on one another. We will never experience the fullness of God’s blessing if we live life alone. Yes, there are times to be alone, but God created life to be lived together, depending on each other and helping one another.
The United States of America exists today because we learned and practiced that. Race teams win championships because they practice that. You too can have that in your life. First, seek God out and ask for His presence in your life. He will come and show you the way. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us;
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12; Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I encourage you to find your place in God’s Kingdom and seek His will for your life. Find those who you can depend on, those who help make you the person you need to be. Accept God’s will for your life and seek to please him.
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.
