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By Rev Don Rivers
Labor Day is here, the unofficial end of summer, time to resume normal activities; work, school and home. One last celebration before we get back into the routine of things. How was your time away? Was it a time of refreshing, recharging and restoring? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Labor Day has its roots in Blue Collar America. The holiday began during the Industrial Revolution. Workers faced harsh conditions like 12-hour workdays and unsafe factories. Labor unions organized rallies and strikes to demand fair pay and safer work. The first U.S. Labor Day parade took place in New York City on September 5, 1882. President Grover Cleveland made it an official federal holiday in 1894.
Labor Day has lost some significance in recent times. It used to be that schools didn’t start until after the holiday. August for the most part was a time for spending on holiday. In fact, in Europe, most companies shut down for August. In America, the manufacturing sector would shut down for the first two weeks of August. Well, I think it is time we get back to some old-fashioned tradition and let Labor Day end summer as it traditionally did, one last Red, White and Blue celebration!
The Word of God isn’t silent on the need for hard work and the need for rest.
Colossians 3:23-24; ESV, Whatever you do, work heartily, (with all your heart), as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
This past week brought to mind some of the modified racing families I know that have worked hard to attain success, blue collar racers. The biggest stage of which was Daytona where a kid from Modified roots and blue-collar work ethic reached the top of the ladder. His grandpa was Bob Judkins and modified racing ran through his veins. Even though he has reached the top division of Stock Car racing, The Cup Series, he hasn’t forgotten how to get his hands dirty. He is found frequently under his own racecar turning wrenches.
A couple cool things about Ryan Preece, He drives his own Motorcoach, and his family is by his side. There are a couple pictures floating around from Victory Lane in Daytona, one of Ryan, Heather, their children and the family dog. Another one of a boy and his dad, framing the trophy. Won through hard work and determination. I am reminded of another picture taken several years ago at New Smyrna Speedway, a few miles south of Daytona; a young Ryan Preece, his Grandpa Bob Junkins and the famed 2x. The Judkins/Preece family knows hard work and are up to the task. Labor Day is a celebration for those who labor.
We shift our focus North, to the historic Jersey Shore oval; Wall Stadium. Last Saturday night the scene was set to remember a legendary racer, John Blewett III. John left us all too soon and he is remembered as a racer’s racer. The event was the John Blewett III Memorial 176. The Blewett’s; Grandpa, John Jr., John III, Jimmy and now James are blue collar racers. From Blewett’s Junkyard to the track where they worked hard and competed against the best in Modified racing.
As things go sometimes, the winner of the John Blewett III Memorial brings our minds to another Northeast Short-track, Riverhead, and another working-class racing family, the Solomito’s. Timmy “The Natural” Solomito took home the trophy on this special night. One hard-working racing family to another. If you hear the name Blewett you think of Wall Stadium, if you hear the name Solomito you think of Riverhead. You also think of Modified racing.
As we reflect on this past weekend that gave us so many reminders of what hard work can do, let us also remember those who labor for our benefit. On this Labor Day we can remember the grit and determination, the working-class spirit that never gives up, the effort put forth for our benefit. Let us celebrate the Red, White and Blue collar that built this country.
Galatians 6:9; ESV; And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up
Perseverance and endurance are traits of those who have hope. That hope allows them to focus on the victory, pressing on for the prize that lays before us. Paul put it this way;
Philippians 3:14-15; ESV; Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We press on, straining forward for what lies ahead. Our focus can be wrong, we can be caught looking back at what we missed and lamenting, but that won’t win the prize. We must forget what is behind and look forward. Nothing describes the hard-working folks that I know more than that.
Forgetting doesn’t mean not learning, we can and must learn from our past and then press forward with a focus on what lies ahead. The lessons learned shape the decisions that bring us success in the days to come. God Word says to renew our mind so we can know God’s will. If we refuse to learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it. If it didn’t work the first time, then what makes us think it will work the second?
Endurance is another subject that we need to address if we are talking about labor. What are we able to endure for the benefit of the future? Someone came before us and laid the road that we walk on. I am sure it wasn’t easy and there were times they wanted to give up. They didn’t, not for their benefit but for ours.
The question comes to mind, what are we willing to endure for the benefit of those who come behind us? Christ was willing to endure the cross, not for His benefit, but for ours. Think about who paved the way for our success? Think about who we can help with our perseverance and endurance. Press on for the prize! Remember, it is not always for our benefit that we do it, it is for the benefit of those who come behind us.
In Hebrews 11 the writer talks about those who died before seeing the promise, they remained faithful even when it was clear they were only paving the road for the next generation. The stage was set for Christ by those who prophesied about His coming. They labored for us, to help us recognize it when He came. We need to do the same for those who will come behind us.
Run the race in such a way as to win, throw off everything that hinders and focus on Jesus. Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations help us continue this ministry. Thank You.
Questions?
Contact don@rwjm.com for more information.
