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By Rev Don Rivers
Racing for fun or for a living is stressful. The nature of the deal is that our life is on the edge. When we are at the track everything seems to run at 100 miles an hour; It is racing after all, it’s supposed to move fast. Maybe it’s a good time to take a rest. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Resting with Jesus; sounds like a new name for a ministry? The racing world does not corner the market on stress and frustration. We are currently going through one of the most stressful times in our history. Things that have been the foundation of our lives are being shaken and stirred. The world we live in seems to be searching for answers, but peace is fleeting.
The world we live in has been described as a rat race. Have you ever found yourself wondering why you do what you do? We wonder if it is all worth it. Can I just stop and reevaluate and take my life in a different direction?
The simple answer is yes, but the truth is the strength, courage and wisdom to do it doesn’t come from within, it comes from God, through Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
How many times has the thought crossed our mind concerning our motivation? Why do we do this? Why am I here? At what point is it a good place to step back and take a look at things? At what point do we step out of our routine and look for a place to rest, to collect our thoughts. Jesus is that place.
Jesus said he came to seek and save the lost. Save us from what? Save us from ourselves. We fill our lives with so much stuff that the stuff starts to win out. We develop a lifestyle that feeds off itself. We start finding ourselves needing to do this, this and this in order to maintain our lifestyle. It becomes overwhelming and we just keep on going trying to stay one-step ahead. Then the thought crosses our mind; for what, so we can live?
I am not sure many people would classify what they do as living. They may say surviving, but not living. We all have a vision of what living is and we are not there yet.
In his poem, The Station, Hastings talks about the vision, “when we get there”. Where? A new house, car, home, kids through school, promotion, win a race. We never get there. Our vision is never satisfied. He writes further to say it is not the destination, but the journey that we must focus on. That is why Jesus makes this offer in Matthew:
Matthew 11:28-29, nlt, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
Is our soul restless? Is our life upside down? Jesus provides for each one of us the security of a destination. If we accept Him, we will be with him for eternity. Destination settled, now about the journey.
At Thompson Speedway by the turn one entrance to the oval, under the big oak tree, there is a bench. It was given to Rev. Pat in honor of his service helping racers on their journey. The message is simple, come unto me and rest. Sit on the bench, change our focus, and spend some time with Jesus. Seek His will for our life. When we ask, seek and knock, it will be provided for us within the will of God. RWJ takes on a new meaning, Rest with Jesus.
Mathew 7:7-12; NIV; “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
When we take a step back from the challenges of our life then we realize that we cannot win the race, that is to say, save ourselves. Jesus, our Savior, has already won that race and secured our victory. Then we can adjust our focus, look around, and participate in the journey. There are so many things we miss when our focus is internal. Along that road we can now see where we can reach out and help one another. We can see the needs of others and help guide and direct people to the source of life. We need to, as Jesus said, be humble and gentle as we demonstrate how to live.
David writes in Psalm twenty-three,
Psalm 23 1-3,nlt, The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.
In Jesus we have everything we need. Rest in Him, walk with Him and let Him renew your strength.
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.
