Have you ever seen twelve hours go as fast as it does on race day? The hours turn into minutes, the minutes into seconds and before you know it the checkered flag has fallen and it’s time to pack up and head home. This is especially true when you are chasing the setup or you are trying to repair some damage. The next thing you hear is the call for your heat or feature. Where does the time go?

We can get so caught up in chasing our dream that we forget to look around and enjoy the life we have been given. We set our sights on attaining a goal and it becomes all consuming. And then it ends.

The sudden death of Kyle Busch grabs our attention; life is all of a sudden fragile. We feel the finality and it causes us to stop. We take a breath and evaluate our own lives. We start looking at the things we have put off and wonder if we need to rethink those priorities.

Cody Johnson writes in his hit song;

If you got a chance, take it

Take it while you got a chance

If you got a dream, chase it

‘Cause a dream won’t chase you back

If you’re gonna love somebody

Hold them as long and as strong

And as close as you can

‘Til you can’t

Life goes on, we live thinking tomorrow is certain. We are all guilty of leaving some things undone with the hope of getting to them someday. Sometimes the things we put off are the most important things. Sometimes we fail to see the suddenness and finality of the certainty that the end of our days will come. We can be guilty of thinking we will always have time to do the things we planned, til you can’t.

I look at the photos of my children and remember the times that went by all too quickly. I wonder sometimes if I spent enough time with them. I wonder if I have taught them the right way, the way of God. 

We get caught up in things that seem important, things that need to get done, but in hindsight they were not the most important thing we could have done. We are guilty of placing importance on things that are not truly important. We lose our priorities.

We are fond of planning for tomorrow, looking ahead to the things we are going to do, the places we’ll go. Truth be told it is in those moments when we lose sight of what is truly important, today, here, now.

We can get so caught up in life that we forget to live. We forget to look around and see the lives of others. We can be so focused on tomorrow that we forget that today is all we can count on and really it is just this moment in time.

We expend so much effort trying to secure the future we overlook the opportunities we have to change the lives of those around us each day. I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer;

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Knowing the things we cannot change takes wisdom. It also takes experience. We need to be at peace with the fact that everything will not play out the way we planned. Even with that understanding we have an agenda and when it doesn’t go the way we planned, we are disappointed. When things turn tragic, we grieve. 

God promises us that He will provide for our needs. He has it all under control. We need only to trust Him. Proverbs explains it this way:

Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

There is too much life to live to be enslaved to the rat race. Try to avoid getting so busy with things that we forget about what God wants us to do. Try to avoid getting so busy surviving that we forget to take time to look around and see what others are going through. God promises to provide what we need to survive. God wants us to focus on what others are going through instead of focusing on ourselves. 

At the All-American Halftime Show organized by Turning Point USA, Kid Rock added another verse to Cody Johnson’s song, with his permission.

There’s a book that’s sitting in your house somewhere

That could use some dusting off

There’s a man who died for all our sins

Hanging from the cross

You can give your life to Jesus

And he’ll give you a second chance

‘Til you can’t

If you have put your trust in yourself and your own understanding, then you will be disappointed. Even if you accomplish everything you think you want you will still miss something. It is God and God alone that can give you abundant life. Fulfillment in life comes only through Jesus Christ. No matter what we have, what we accomplish, what our social standing is, it will be incomplete without a saving knowledge of God through Jesus. 

John 10:10-11; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

Remember Psalm 23? 

Psalm 23:1-3; The LORD is my shepherd, I have all I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

It is Jesus who brings abundant life, who leads us to green pasture, who restores our soul. The promise from God is one of abundant life; a full life that has no regrets, no dissatisfaction, a life that is complete, a life that honors Him. 

Do we ever consider what God has for us? I encourage you this week to STOP. Take a step back and review your thoughts and actions. Ask yourself, who am I living for? Don’t get consumed by the pressure to get things done. Focus on what will affect eternity. Focus on the things of God.

Live in such a way as to be sensitive to the leading of God. Step off the gerbil’s wheel and stop running so fast that life is a blur, slow down and let things happen. Watch for where God is working and join Him there. Don’t worry about your schedule. Let God set the schedule and decide what fits. Respond in a way that shows the love of Jesus. Til you can’t

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 helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.

As we look back and reflect on the opportunities we have had in the past to influence others lives, I am reminded of times when I had that opportunity. One year, a few weeks before Christmas, I was asked to be part of a prayer vigil for the families affected by the Sandy Hook Tragedy. The families asked those who were lifting up their loved ones to commit to change things. They asked us to commit to doing something that would honor the memory of those lost.

We each can do something; we can give hope to others. It is not difficult or challenging. Think about it, look around, is there someone you know that could use a kind word? Someone who needs a word of encouragement or prayer? Someone who could use a meal or warm coat? 

There are many opportunities each day for us to change the circumstances of others’ lives. We just need to want to. We can get so caught up in our own lives we forget that there is always someone in need of encouragement. 

Philippians 2:1-4; Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

One of the simplest but most effective ways to encourage others is by our presence. We can go to people, walk alongside them, hold them up and help them as they face uncertain days ahead. The fact that we are not alone in our difficulties provides the strength and courage to persevere.

A few days ago, we each put a blank calendar on the wall. By now there may be a few events on it. I am sure the race chasers out there have put their racing schedule on it. Many race teams have started to sort out what events they are going to compete in. Let me suggest something for your calendar.

I think we should put on each of our calendars the days and times when we will intentionally go and support and encourage others. Schedule times we will put our lives aside and go in Jesus’ name for the sake of others. That is exactly what Christ did, He came.

Philippians 2:6-8; (Jesus) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature  of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Lynda and I traveled to Haiti many times and each time we went we were reminded of how blessed we are. There are places in Haiti that are poorer and dirtier than you can imagine but there is a hope in the hearts of the people that tomorrow will be a better day. We go to serve, to show our love for Christ by demonstrating our love for them. These are not easy trips, but a life changing experience.

Today we cannot travel to Haiti, it is too dangerous. We have friends there who face life threatening situations in their daily lives. Please pray for them. Pray for us as we long to return and encourage them. 

Until we have walked in the footsteps of others we cannot begin to know what challenges they face. From the outside looking in is not the position we need to be in. We need to join them, alongside them, walking with them, encouraging them, and holding them up. 

Our presence will speak volumes to those we intentionally seek to provide hope. Our presence can be enough to provide encouragement for them. Our presence lets them know their hope was not in vain. 

I remember the phrase; “Who’s with me?” We ask it when we are facing a challenge bigger than one individual can handle. I wonder when the last time we used that phrase was? When was the last time we intentionally embarked on a task greater than ourselves, greater than our own individual abilities? 

It reminds me of many a racing story and how the adventures begin. No one wants to be alone in their adventures, they want to share it with others. 

I can picture the scene as the story was being told to me. We were sitting around the pits, rehashing the nights racing. Then someone says; “Hey they are racing at Monadnock tomorrow night, we should go. Who’s in?” Everyone looks at each other, heads nod, drinks are finished and in unison; “Let’s go!” Never mind that none of them had ever been there and no one was really sure where it was, but that didn’t stop them. They set off on their adventure, together.

As we look ahead to the new year and make our plans I encourage you to include opportunities to reach out and touch others’ lives. Be intentional in your desire to provide hope. Ask God and He will provide direction and guidance.

Who will we give hope to in 2024?

Who will we intentionally go to and walk alongside?

Whose life will be different because we took the time to go?

Philippians 2:5; In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

As we look forward, in our Winter Bible Study we will be looking at Romans 12; Dedicated Service, Living for God. We will explore the adjustments it will take for each of us to serve our Lord in a way that honors Him.

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.

Have you ever wondered how many people you know? When I thumb through my contacts on my phone I wonder; who are all these people? When I slow down, I realize the connection I have with them. Some are personal, some racing, some church, some business, but each one has a connection. There is a reason I have their contact information.

I think through some of those connections and remember how it was made. Some have great stories about how our paths crossed. Some are clearly through the leading of God, I hold those most special. 

How about you? Are you connected? Do you know a guy that can help you out? Don’t worry, I have some connections. I know a guy who can open some doors for us.

Racing is about connections, relationships built through sharing common experiences. Walking through life, living through things together. We are built to be together. We are drawn to want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We look for inclusion and camaraderie. 

Adversity is overcome much better when there are friends alongside. Misery loves company. But not just the difficult times. I have never, well until covid, seen anyone on Victory Lane alone. Truth is, no one gets to Victory Lane alone. The announcer asks the same question in every interview; who would you like to thank for helping you get this victory?

What or who are we connected to? As we continue our journey in preparation for Easter we listen to Christ as he shares about connections.

John 14:1-4; NLT; “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Christ reveals that he is going to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house. He is going to make a way for us. There are a couple of things that we should note. First, if Christ is going to make the way the implication is that we can’t. The fact is we cannot be good enough to be in the Father’s house. That is to say in God’s presence.  Jesus indicates that he will make a way for us.

Sometimes we need clarity and Thomas asks the question;

John 14:5-6: NLT; “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Jesus is referring to His sacrifice, death on the cross, an atonement for our sin. He, the perfect sacrifice, would give up his life to cover our imperfections. God said he would accept that. We can reside with God for eternity through a connection with Christ. The only requirement is to accept it.

Romans 10:9-10: NLT; 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.

Are we connected? Do we have the right credentials to enter? Do we know the right person to be welcomed in? Sounds like getting into the racetrack. Eternity with God is the desired resting place. Getting in is simpler that we think. It is not what we’ve done or not done in life, it is who you know. If we know Christ our credentials are in order and we will be welcomed in.

But what about all the good things we have done? Jesus shared a little about that also.

Matthew 7:21-23: NLT; “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

You see none of us is perfect, we all fall short, but there is a connection we can make to overcome that, knowing Christ. We can’t earn our way in, it is a gift from God. Jesus paid the price of admission so that we could receive the blessing. The key is accepting the connection.

There is a second benefit, a satisfying and fulfilling life here until we get there. How do we find that in the midst of this crazy mixed up world we live in? Connections. Connect ourselves to the source of life.

John 15:1,2,4-5,8; NLT; 1 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Are we connected? I encourage you to make the right connections, accept the gift offered by Christ. Let true life flow through you and into the lives of others.

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.