The racetrack is a microcosm of the world we live in; like looking at the world in a fishbowl. We can find so many things that reflect the world we live in. Some of that is good and some of that is not. 

I am encouraged when I see competitors help one another so they can go out and compete; run the race. I am encouraged when I see the racing community come together in support of a member who is going through a tough time. Those are the good days.

But on the racetrack, we accept the risk that others may not be thinking of our wellbeing. I know it is the ugly side of racing but there are those who head out onto the track with revenge in their mind. There are those who head out onto the track with a score to settle. 

The world we live in isn’t much different. There are those cheering us on and wanting us to do our very best. Then there are those who are tearing us apart and wanting to drag us down. I am pretty sure we have all been challenged with emotions on both sides of that. They are the extremes but reality finds its home someplace in the middle. We are not always nice, but we are not always malicious either.

It can be difficult when we have to put our trust in someone or something who has proven to not be trustworthy.

Let’s say you have to pass a competitor on the track that you have had run-ins with before. You are faster and you need to make the pass if you have any hope for winning. You grip the wheel a little tighter, you brace for contact and you send it in fully prepared to receive a nudge or worse. 

I remember talking to a driver about how to handle the situation when another driver spun him out. When I got there he was steaming, “I’m gonna get that so and so……” I suggested a different strategy, maybe just smile and wave. Let it go. His eyes lit up. “Wow, that’ll be better, then he’ll never know when I will get him back!” I shook my head and walked away. 

I think the realization that we need to come to is that placing our trust and faith in men will not produce the peace and joy we want to fill our lives. Too many times people fail us and fall short of our expectations. It seems no matter how many times we hear it we still choose the road of getting even over being gracious.

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12; NLT; “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

The truth remains that when we trust others to treat us fairly or even consider our situation many times it comes back to us in a way that is not pleasing. Who is it then that we can trust to right the wrongs? Who is that we can trust our lives to? Who is it that will always have our best interest at heart?

I saw this posted and it provides a clue to the real answer; “God isn’t asking us to figure it out, He is asking us to trust that He already has.” 

You have seen these verses used many times over the last few months. You may wonder why? Well because every day I wake up and see the news there is a new reason for me to be concerned. Everyday I wake up there is a new challenge to overcome. Everyday there is a new wrong to be righted. I use these verses to remind myself to trust God, he has this. Some days I quote them several times.

John 14:1; NLT; “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

John 14:27;NLT “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

He closed with this;

John 16:33; NLT; I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

These verses come from the conversation Christ had with His disciples at the Last Supper. He spoke to them and encouraged them to trust him. Trust Him in spite of what they would see happen over the next few days. 

We need to place our trust and faith in God, He is the only one that truly has our best interest at heart. We need to seek him out and surrender our lives to him. We need to seek him with our whole heart. When we do, he made a promise to deliver us from this world.

We are captive to the ways of this world; we are prisoners of the events of the day but there is an escape. We don’t have to let ourselves be bound up by the daily challenges.

Jerimiah 29:11-13; NLT; For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

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.

You are at the racetrack and you need a part for your car, who do you go ask? You go to someone you know. You go to someone who you know will help you out. How do you know? You know because you have a relationship with them. They will help because you relate well to each other. If not, an excuse will be made or some other reason made. Among our racing community we relate well to each other and are willing to help one another more than other communities we are a part of. That is why we enjoy being together.

In our day to day lives we meet people and interact with them. Some we decide to get to know better. Others we choose not to pursue. Who we choose and why is an interesting process. Understanding the reasons we build relationships will help us relate better. Did you know that guys generally choose who to be friends with based on what others have? Let me explain.

If Joe has a truck and you don’t, you may choose to become friends with Joe because you may need a truck someday. Think about it, if you doubt it, go buy a truck and see how many friends you suddenly have.

That is not the only way we choose our friends. We have many different things that draw us to others. Stop for a moment and think about why you hang around with the people you do. Think about what attracts you to someone else.

Just like we have many people we have relationships with, there are many different kinds of relationships. Some are close and some are social. No matter the relationship there are a few things that are true about each one of them. Relationships are built on trust, communication, time, honesty and faith. The stronger these traits the closer the relationship.

Without these components relating to each other is difficult if not impossible. Close relationships only develop when we can relate to one another. We can pretend, but when times get difficult and they will, only relationships that are built on this solid foundation will be able to stand.

The keys to secure, close relationships come directly from our relationship with God through Jesus. The relationship that God desires to have with each one of us involves each of these. Let’s break it down a little.

Trust; it is difficult to be close with someone you cannot trust. Think about how difficult it would be to share your most intimate thoughts if you didn’t feel you could trust someone. You wouldn’t and the relationship would not be as close as it should be. Think about the relationships you have, are they trusting ones?

Communication is another vital component. How close can you be if you don’t talk with someone? Communication can also be done without talking, our body language can indicate our true feelings. Communicating with each other helps develop the trust required in any close relationship. It also helps us recognize each other, “that doesn’t sound like….”

Time is another necessity; time spent together and time spent thinking about one another. How much time have you spent on the relationships you are in? Sometimes we think others will understand our absence but it takes its toll. There is no substitute for being there.

Honesty is a given. No relationship stands a chance if honesty is absent. Trust is built on being trustworthy. We are trustworthy when we are honest with each other. When we are not honest we deceive not only the other person but ourselves. There is tremendous pressure on a relationship when it is built on lies.

When these components are present they produce faith. Faith we can depend on someone to fulfill their responsibilities in a relationship. When we relate in these ways it is a freeing feeling. We are at peace. It puts the finishing touches on what it means to be in a close personal relationship.

Let me transfer this to the personal relationship we need to have with God through Jesus. You see Jesus opened the door so that we could seek out God and have a close personal relationship with Him. God provided Jesus because He wants a close personal relationship with each of us.

Seek Him out by reading His word and getting to know Him. Spend some time talking with Him and asking Him some questions. You will find Him trustworthy and honest. You will find Him worthy of placing your faith in. I am reminded of the passage that Jesus spoke at the end of His sermon on the mount. He talked about two men who had heard His words. One chose to listen, one chose to ignore them. They lived their life and challenges came. One was able to put his trust and faith in God. The other had only himself to depend on. One was able to stand. The other life crumbled and crashed.

Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Who do we think we need to have a relationship with? Life is difficult at best. We cannot make it through alone. We need the companionship of others. God made us that way. Take some time and work on the relationships in your life. Make every effort to build them on the rock that is the teaching of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Desire to relate with trust, communication, time, honesty and faith. Learn how having these close relationships can make life worth living. Build a relationship with God today and all your relationships will benefit.

John 10:10, NLT, The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

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.