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By Rev Don Rivers
We have heard the story of Christ, His death and resurrection. We probably know it better than most stories in the Bible. And it may be safe to say many who are not Christians know the story also. It is such a familiar story, yet one that is hard to comprehend. Things to ponder as we walk down the road. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing is about the journey, the road work. As we travel, we reminisce about how many miles, how many roads, and how many races we have been to together. We look back and remember the old days, where we started and how the journey has gone. With a smile and a laugh, do you remember the time….?
I remember the joy and smiles I see on the faces of those who tell the stories of the “Glory Days” of racing. It is interesting how every story has a happy ending. I guess we forget the ones that didn’t end so well. Racing is full of stories and storytellers. The older we get, it seems, the bigger the story gets. Sometimes it grows to legend status. One of my all-time favorites comes from Dion Brothers Racing.
Dave starts it with that ever-present smile; Do you remember the time the car was so smashed we didn’t know if we could straighten it out? We brought it back to the shop, cut, welded, measured and got it close. Then we took that thirteen-year-old chassis out and won at Oxford Plains! I guess we got it right! I guess we showed them!
What separates truth from fiction? What do we believe and what do we discount as fables? Sometimes things are not what they seem; the story seems too far-fetched to believe. How can we understand something we have never seen, let alone believe it?
How many of us have seen someone raised from the dead? How hard would it be for us to believe it? Think of the Disciples; Christ gave them an example with Lazarus, as John records for us in his Gospel, yet they still found it hard to believe.
The evidence is overwhelming; Christ appeared to over five hundred people after his resurrection over forty days. Many times the crowds included those who were against him and didn’t want to acknowledge His resurrection. That is a lot of eyewitness testimony! The fact remains, the tomb is empty; He’s not there.
Luke 24:5: NLT; The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
Such an interesting question the Angels posed to the women that came to the tomb. Why do we look for life in things that will only lead to death? Many times in our lives we focus on attaining something. We are taught to set goals and we focus on attaining those goals. But I wonder, how much do we sacrifice on our way to getting someplace? How much do we miss because our focus is on the wrong things?
Luke 24:13-16; On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
That same day (resurrection day), Jesus was walking along with two of His followers, yet they did not recognize Him. They were so focused on the disappointment of watching Him die they failed to remember that He would rise again and have victory over death.
I ask myself; would I recognize Jesus if he was standing next to me? I think of people I have met along the road, they remember me, but I have trouble remembering them. Something needs to jog my memory, a story, an experience, something. Then the light goes on and I remember.
Luke 24 17-19; He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
The lesson for us as we travel along the road is to adjust our focus. Too many times we are focused on the destination and we lose sight of the people we encounter along the way. We can get so caught up in our own little world that we forget about the world around us.
Jesus refocused their attention along the road, hoping they would realize the truth he had spoken to them just a few short days before. Yes, it may have seemed like an unbelievable story, but the fact remained there was Jesus, walking alongside them, and they didn’t notice.
Some of us need to see to believe. Some of us do not believe anything we cannot reach out and touch. But sometimes the proof is right there for us and we still have trouble believing it. The presence of God in our life is life changing. You may not see it, or even realize it is there, but let me assure you He is walking right alongside. If you need proof, ask someone who has received forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ.
As we walk down the road of life we need someone by our side. Jesus is willing to walk alongside and guide us along the right path. But He won’t do it without us asking. He is waiting for us to seek Him out and ask Him to reveal the truth to us, to reveal himself to us.
Christ revealed Himself to us in His resurrected form. He wanted to make sure we knew He had victory over death. He spoke with us, ate with us, let us inspect his wounds. He made sure there were no questions, Christ is Alive! He offers that life to us. He invites us to join him on the road of life.
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.
