As we begin to see the change in the seasons, we feel the change in the air. Summer has given us many memories to relive in the days to come; now it is time for the things of summer to rest. I enjoy fall for many things but most of all I enjoy fall for the change. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The crisp cool mornings, the color of the trees, the sound of geese trumpeting their way to southern regions, the sound as you bite into a fresh picked apple, the smell of a roasting turkey with all the fixings, you get the picture. If we take the time to look, each season has blessings of its own to provide for us a reminder that God created this for our enjoyment.
Sometimes we get so busy during the summer that we forget to stop and take a look around. We forget to enjoy the blessings God has provided for us. We forget that this was created for our pleasure.
Have you ever gotten to the point that racing wasn’t any fun anymore? Has going to the shop become drudgery? Do you look for rain in the forecast so you don’t have to go to the track? These are all signs that racing isn’t fun anymore.
When the things we enjoy, the things that make our heart beat faster, no longer excite us then it is time to take a step back. Understanding that it is difficult to get to the track every week. It takes a lot of hard work to get the car ready to race. It is a challenge to get enough guys together to help out. There are so many struggles that when you heart just isn’t in it, it makes the effort that much more of a burden.
It is the same with our walk with God. Our heart needs to be in it. When we give a halfhearted effort we are prone to wonder where God is. When we sit on the sidelines and watch instead of getting in the game we wonder if God is even out there. Like racing our walk with God is participatory, we need to be involved and connected with Him.
I am reminded of the words of Jeremiah, a prophet, as he spoke about God’s plans for us;
Jeremiah 29:11, NIV, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God’s plan for our life is good. He gives us hope and a future. Think of how you feel when you face a new race season. You are full of hope. At the end of the season you hope to be standing on top, champion.
When we get to the end of the season and that hope isn’t realized it can be demoralizing, it can make racing a burden. But if we read on we find an answer to how we need to maintain that hope and future that God promises.
Jeremiah 29:12-13; NIV, Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Our search has to continue when times get tough. We need to call upon God, have a conversation with Him. He will hear us, but if our heart is in it. Only when we seek Him with all of our heart.
There is a saying in sports, “mailed it in”; it means that your effort was so lacking that you should have just stayed home and sent it in by mail. It means your heart wasn’t in it. Don’t let your walk with God fall into the same trap. Don’t mail it in and wonder how come things are not going the way we want them to.
We must seek God with all our heart; we must stay in contact with him; we must put forth the effort for the results to be there. A race car doesn’t prepare itself for the race. Our walk with God just doesn’t happen either; we need to put our heart into it.
Spend some time this week getting your heart right with God. Spend some effort making a point to talk with Him. Ask him where you need to make adjustments in your life. His plans are good; they are full of hope and a future. We just need to put our heart into it.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
