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By Rev Don Rivers
I was asked the other day what my most favorite season was. I responded, Autumn, a time when we enjoy the fruits of our labors. A time when we reflect on the efforts put forth. A time when we look back and remember the race we have run. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We always look back at the races and events we experience with a filter. Many times we remember the good times, they become bigger than life. Yes, we remember the disappointments, but soon they are replaced with the memories of better results, better days, and those victories we achieved along the way.
Autumn is a time where we can enjoy the harvest, sit back and reflect on the race we have run. Paul wrote to Timothy in the autumn of his years;
2Timothy 4:7; I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
What does it mean to fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith? Those answers are different for all of us. Each one of us has been uniquely created by God. Each one of us has a unique path to walk, prepared by God. Each one of us has unique challenges to overcome with victory.
Look around at the splendor of God’s creation. I have seen over sixty autumns in my years and not one has been the same, each one is unique. Not only for the timing and the changing of the landscape, but each autumn I look back on a different race I have run.
No two races are the same. No race can be predicted before it is run. We have seen many surprising results. Even when we watch a winner cross the finish line that doesn’t mean the race is over. Results change, lives change and until the seasons change we cannot look back and count the race won.
God has an order to things in this world and he reveals that to us if we take the time to look. Paul shared with us the order of things, battles to fight, races to finish, faith to keep.
When we hit the racetrack we are there to run the race but in that, there are many fights to face. First is the setup, practice and getting that right. Then there is qualifying. Then there is the race and the battles that take place as you move to the front. Do we face those fights with the right perspective? Do we look at each battle as one to be won the right way, the way that would please God?
Did we finish the race? How many races have we failed to finish? For whatever reason we drop out, we don’t have the perseverance to finish. That may be because we didn’t fight the battle in the right way. We may have kept ourselves from finishing because of the way we fought the fight.
I have seen many a contender take himself out of the race by trying to get even with another competitor. Fighting a good fight is important, finishing the race the right way is imperative. We cannot finish the right way if we do not run in such a way as to win. Are we looking toward finishing or just fighting the battle?
I have seen many that have won the battle and lost the war. God asked us to look at the big picture. He asks us to let the little things go and focus on finishing the race in a way that honors Him. That means keeping the faith.
Therein lies the key, keep the faith. Paul explains that in every battle, in every race there is one overarching goal, keep the faith. Faith in God, not faith in our own abilities. We will not win every race, but each race will have an end, it will finish. We can finish every race with victory if our focus is on God.
We will not win every battle, but we can fight the good fight. In the end we need to maintain our faith in God and know that He is the one that determines if our efforts are honorable. He determines if we are worthy of the prize.
Knowing that God has a master plan that will lead us to the most abundant life is something to have faith in. Even when we don’t understand what is happening at the moment, we need to trust that God does and has our best interest in mind. Sometimes losing the race is better for us than winning. Win or lose we can always fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.
Romans 8:28; And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
As autumn rolls in, where do we find ourselves? Can we look back on the season past and say we have fought the good fight? Can we say we have finished the race? Have we kept the faith?
Seasons change and the next season will be here soon enough and the challenges of this season will soon be but a memory. What will be said of us? What will be said of our efforts? Who will people say we served, ourselves or God?
Let me encourage you, there is time to take your life in a different direction. If you look back and you don’t see actions and words that honor God he will forgive you. He has made a provision for that through Jesus Christ. Make a commitment now to receive that forgiveness and move forward in a way that will show your faith in God.
As we prepare for the next race? We can take the right steps to get ready to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. We can do it all to the glory and honor of God.
Romans 8b-10; NLT; And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
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.
