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By Rev Don Rivers
The race season is coming to a close. There are a few events to run but for the most part our champions have been crowned. How did this season work out for you? Did you take time to enjoy all you have been blessed with? Did you enjoy the fruit of your labor? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This past weekend the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour crowned their champion at Martinsville Speedway. Congratulations to Jon McKennedy on the driver’s championship and Tommy Baldwin on the owner’s championship. It was great to serve the Whelen Modified Tour this season.
One of the great things in racing is that we get to race. Not everyone gets a chance to do what they have a passion for. There are many that do not have the opportunities we have been blessed with. Have we ever stopped and thanked God for all he has provided?
One of the thoughts that comes to mind this time of the year is how thankful we need to be for what we have been blessed with. We need only to look around and see others who do not have what we have.
There are times when it all seems so clear. I remember the time I was blessed to accompany the Alex Kennedy Racing Team to Dartmouth Hitchcock Children’s Hospital in New Hampshire. We were given a tour of their facility they set up to minister to the special needs of children and families that face the challenging times that come with sickness. We then met with some of the patients and had the chance to brighten their day. We always need to remember that no matter how difficult things seem for us there are others who are dealing with more challenging days.
One of the things that we cannot let escape our attention is that we are truly blessed to be able to go out and race. The freedom to do what we enjoy doing. Enjoy the opportunity, please do not take it for granted, give something back.
As Christians we have been blessed with a Lord and Savior. We are reminded of the love that God has for us and the provision he made for our salvation. Paul reminds us how we should live our lives.
Ephesians 5:1-2; Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
We should live a life of love, but what does that mean? It means we need to extend grace to others. It means we should have compassion in our hearts for those who are less fortunate. We should be kind and forgiving. We should be willing to make some sacrifices to help others out. We need to be willing to serve.
Grace is an interesting endeavor; it isn’t something that just happens, grace is intentional. We have to choose to extend grace to someone. I wonder if people see us as gracious? Extending grace, unmerited favor, to someone is the first step in love. We decide to show someone value by extending to them grace.
Ephesians 2:8-10; NLT; God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 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.
A proper response to the grace that God extended to us is to do the same. We need to acknowledge the grace we received and pass it along. If we are wondering how or to whom, look at that last verse. “So we can do the things he planned for us long ago.”
God has a plan for us and we receive it when we acknowledge what He has done for us. We need to turn to Him and ask for his guidance and direction. He will show us the most satisfying and fulfilling way to respond to His provision of grace.
So, we enjoy what God has provided. We show our appreciation by following God’s guidance. We then enjoy what God has planned for us. That enjoyment we receive from extending the grace of God is more fulfilling than a championship trophy. Trophies fade and collect dust, but the lives that we show value to, the lives we extend grace to, the lives that are changed by the presence of God are eternal. Enjoy!
Let me encourage us to take this time to reflect on all that we have been blessed with. If we need to be reminded, take some time and serve those who are less fortunate. Make a sacrifice this harvest season to extend grace to others and we will enjoy it more than we ever have before. We need to decide to show others the love that God showed to us. Enjoy the harvest! Remember; but for the grace of God there go I.
Psalm 118:24; This is the day the Lord has made. We will 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.
