Life is full of challenges, stresses and strains. When we look around we can see the burdens written on the faces of those we pass by. But are we willing to help carry someone’s burden? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing hasn’t always been this easy. Don’t laugh, it’s true. We have more information, technology, and equipment to get the job done. That will help us get the job done, right? Just because we have these things doesn’t mean it is easier, it just means it is different. I was sharing the other day about listening to Dale Inman, former crew chief for Petty Enterprises. He had titled the discussion, “It hasn’t always been this easy.”
He spoke of the days when you drove the actual race car to the track, sounds easy enough. Well how about when the track is in California and you are in North Carolina? Not only that but the seats have been removed for weight; you have a piece of plywood for a back seat and you shared the ride with all the tools, jack and spare parts. The motor under the hood is the race motor and you had to break it in for the first 500 miles to wear it in right. You don’t have the benefit of a speedometer which means you met with the local law enforcement types no short of 10 times each way. It hasn’t always been this easy!
There are difficulties around each turn. It would be great if all you had to concern yourself with was getting your car setup for the race, but that is just the last hurdle. The challenges to getting things together to race are more involved than you think. I was talking with a driver just last week who was trying to get things together to get to the track. He was only missing one piece, the motor. He wasn’t able to get it in time and missed the race. As it looks now his focus has shifted to next year. Today the biggest burden is having to depend on others to get the components together. Most things are not done “in house” anymore. We think we have it hard.
I am encouraged when I see teams rally to help other teams who face difficulties at the track. I know of several occasions when parts were lent or crewmembers worked on a competitor’s car to help them get ready in time. I remember watching an engine being carried and installed by several “helpers” when time and space would not allow a more conventional way to move it. Why, because we want to race. We want the opportunity to win out on the track, not in the garage. We want everyone to have a chance to race.
We also face difficult times in life. Difficulties have a way of finding us when we can least afford it. We think we are prepared but we find we are not. What is the right way to respond when we see someone going through a difficult time? Listen to what the Paul says in Galatians;
Galatians 6:2-3, Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
When we help someone who is going through a tough time and we lend a hand we are obedient to God. We honor God when we sacrifice our time, resources and abilities to help someone in need. Have we reached out and helped someone? Are we aware of the needs of those around us? Take a look and see if there is something you can help with.
I wouldn’t be the man I am today if someone didn’t reach out to me in my time of need. His name is Steve and he was always willing to help in any way he could. He never asked for anything back, he only asked me to help when I have what someone else needs. His willingness to give and his attitude toward giving came right from God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 8:10-15; And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”
There are many lessons for us to learn in these verses but for now we need to understand that some of us have a surplus while others have needs. We need to recognize the burdens of others and be willing to give freely. Remember it is the effort that matters not the size of the gift.
So let me ask you, are we sharing the load? Are we willing to carry someone’s burden? Are we willing to let go of our time, talents and possessions so that we might relieve the load of someone? I can tell you this, Christ was.
Christ left his throne in Heaven, set aside his attributes as God and became man. He came to dwell with us and serve us. He carried our burdens to the cross and nailed them there. We are forgiven because Christ came and took the burden of our sin. Paul reminds us that our attitude should be the same as Christ’s.
Look back at the first passage we read, if you think you are above helping someone you are a fool, you are not that important. Christ didn’t think of Himself too important to come and give His life for you.
Take a look around I think you might be able to find someone who has a burden or two. Give of yourself to help that person. When you do you honor God and reflect the goodness that should be found in each of us as Christians. When you think it is beneath you remember, you are just not that important.
Philippians 2:5-8; Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[ God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
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.
