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By Rev Don Rivers
Have you thought about what influences our lives? The people around us and how their presence shapes us? What does it mean to have someone care about us? When I go down memory lane, my thoughts turn to my father. I wondered how many of us have a passion for something because our father put it there. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I remembered the first time I went to a racetrack; it was in the late 60’s, my dad brought me to Stafford Motor Speedway. I was your typical seven- or eight-year-old, I didn’t sit still, wanted everything the concession stand had to offer and watching the racing was secondary. I do, however, remember wanting to go back.
The race that cemented my interest in the sport happened one summer night a few years later at Catamount Speedway in Vermont. Bobby Dragon and Jean Paul Cabana battled for the lead the entire feature. As they came out of turn four one car erupted in flames. Both hit the brakes coming to the checkers. They rolled to a stop just after the start finish line. They were still rolling as one driver was halfway out of his car with a fire extinguisher in his hand to help the other driver. They had just fought tooth and nail for the win but when it came to helping the other guy they were right there. I don’t remember who won, but I remember that image.
That was the hook, but it wasn’t set until I walked through the gate at the start finish line, down the front stretch and into the pits. I had a chance to see the drivers and their cars up close. I was in awe, these guys were larger than life and that night left an impression that has fueled my feeling about racing to this day.
I have my father to thank for that. My dad didn’t live too long, he passed when I was fifteen, but during the time we had together he taught me a tremendous amount about life and how things worked. He never had the opportunity to live life the way I have, but I still refer back to his lessons often.
I think every parent only wants that opportunity, the opportunity to pass on their passion to their children; the opportunity to teach them what life is and how this life should be lived. The desire of a father’s heart is to instill in his children the truly important things in life.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; NLT; “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
We learn so much in dad’s house. Many of the lessons we learn we don’t realize until we get older and have children of our own. We learn how we want to live, but we also learn what we don’t want our life to be like. From those lessons our life takes shape. We are set in a direction by the lessons we learn in our homes.
In the same way Jesus came to show us how the life He created for us should be lived. He came to teach us and help us know the will of our Heavenly Father. He showed us the sacrifice we need to make for others. And he promised us a place in Dad’s house.
John 14:1-6; “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There are many directions we can go in life. Not all of them are beneficial to living. We take many detours and chase many dead ends. Sometimes all we needed to do was listen to the lessons and follow the directions given us by our fathers. But we know better, at least we think we do.
I am reminded of the prodigal son, he thought he knew the best way to live. He asked for his inheritance and set off to live. Soon he found out the reality of life, it isn’t all fun and games. He longed to return to Dad’s house.
Luke 15:20; NLT; “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
We have two fathers to guide us, our earthly father, and our heavenly father. Between the two we find direction and meaning. Our heavenly Father will never leave us or forsake us. He will be there to guide us through the challenges that life brings. Trust Him.
Jesus is preparing a place for us in His Father’s house; Heaven. He will come and claim what belongs to Him and we will be there with Him. We do not have to live here, separated from our heavenly Father. We know the way; Jesus Christ.
Matthew 22:37; NLT; Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
Let Jesus instill a passion in your heart for living in a way that would please your heavenly Father. Learn from Him and submit to His authority. Jesus will be with us as we learn how to live the life that was created for us. Jesus is that way, that truth, that life.
I miss my dad, but I will carry on with the directions he taught me. In the same way our heavenly Father teaches us the way home, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Until we meet again.
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.
