Enjoying the Harvest

By admin October 22, 2014 RWJM

I was asked the other day what my most favorite season was. I responded, Autumn, a time when we enjoy the fruits of our labors. A time when we reflect on the efforts put forth. A time when we look back and remember the race we have run. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We always look back at the races and events we experience with a filter. Many times we remember the good times, they become bigger than life. Yes, we remember the disappointments, but soon they are replaced with the memories of better results, better days, and those victories we achieved along the way.

Autumn is a time where we can enjoy the harvest, relax and reflect on the race we have run. Paul wrote to Timothy in the autumn of his years;

2Timothy 4:7; I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

What does it mean to fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith? Those answers are different for all of us. Each one of us has been uniquely created by God. Each one of us has a unique path to walk prepared by God. Each one of us has a unique fight to win. 

Look around at the splendor of God’s creation. I have seen over fifty autumns in my years and not one has been the same, each one is unique. Not only for the timing and the changing of the landscape, but each autumn I look back on a different race I have run.

No two races are the same. No race can be predicted before it is run. We have seen many surprising results. Even when we watch a winner cross the finish line that doesn’t mean the race is over. Results change, lives change and until the seasons change we cannot look back and count the race won.

God has an order to things in this world and he reveals that to us if we take the time to look. Paul shared with us the order of things, battles to fight, races to finish, faith to keep.

When we hit the racetrack we are there to run the race but in that, there are many fights to face. First is the setup, getting that right. Then there is qualifying. Then there is the race and the battles that take place as you move to the front. Do you face those fights with the right perspective? Do we look at each battle as one to be won the right way, the way that would please God?

Did we finish the race? How many races have we failed to finish? For whatever reason we drop out, we don’t have the perseverance to finish. That may be because we didn’t fight the battle in the right way. We may have kept ourselves from finishing because of the way we fought the fight.

I have seen many a contender take himself out of the race by trying to get even with another competitor. Fighting a good fight is important, finishing the race is imperative. We cannot finish if we do not run in such a way as to win. Are we looking toward finishing or just fighting the battle? I have seen many that have won the battle and lost the war. God asked us to look at the big picture. He asks us to let the little things go and focus on finishing the race.

Herein lies the key, keep the faith. Paul explains that in every battle, in every race there is one over arching goal, keep the faith. Faith in God, not faith in our own abilities. We will not win every race, but we can finish every race. We will not win every battle, but we can fight the good fight. In the end we need to maintain our faith in God and know that He is the one that determines if our efforts are true and faithful.

Knowing that God has a master plan that will lead us to the most abundant life. Even when we don’t understand what is happening at the moment, we need to trust that God does and has our best interest in mind. Sometimes losing the race is better for us than winning. Win or lose we can always fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.

Romans 8:28; And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As autumn rolls in where do we find ourselves? Can we look back on the season past and say we have fought the good fight? Can we say we have finished the race? Have we kept the faith?

Next season will be here soon enough and the battles and races of this year will soon be but a memory. What will be said of us? What will be said of our efforts? Who will people say we served, ourselves or God.

Let me encourage you, there is time to take your life in a different direction. If you look back and you don’t see actions and words that honor God he will forgive you. He has made a provision for that through Jesus Christ. Make a commitment now to receive that forgiveness and move forward in a way that will show your faith in God.

As we prepare for the next race take the right steps to get ready to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith. Do it all to the glory and honor of God.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

THOMPSON IN THE BOOKS DESPITE THE CHALLENGES- Well to say they missed the forecast would be an understatement. Great job to the team at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, they worked through four rain delays to get as much of the schedule in on Saturday. Then they came back and did it all again on Sunday. Putting on such a big event takes significant planning. Pulling it off is a great accomplishment. Doing so through adverse weather conditions, delays and TV schedules shows the dedication and preparedness of the team.

The highlight of the day was crowning Doug Coby, Phil Moran, Mike Smeriglio and the entire #2 Smeriglio Racing Team Whelen Modified Tour Champions. They book ended the season winning at Daytona and Thompson, great job.

WATERFORD SOLD- Bruce Bemer in now the owner of Waterford Speedbowl. He purchased to track for a reported 1.75 million at a foreclosure auction last Saturday. The indications are that it will remain a racing facility. That has made the Waterford Faithful extremely happy.

I am looking forward to hearing the plans that Mr. Bemer has for the facility and how this historic track will make its transition into a new era. My hope is that that now with the future secure the fan base can be rebuilt.

WORLD DIRT FINALS- Next up for us is closing out the World of Outlaws seasons. We will be down in Charlotte for the final three races for the WoO Dirt Late Models and the WoO Sprint cars. Following that we will participate in their season ending awards celebrations. We are looking forward to being a part of it.

A FEW NEEDS- Please keep Brian Schofield in your prayers as he recovers from injuries suffered Saturday night in a crash during the VMRS race at Thompson. We checked in with Him and he is in good spirits, recovering nicely.

UPDATE: Brian was moved to a Rehab Facility on Tuesday and is recovering nicely.

Also keep young gun Troy Talman, in your prayers as he recovers from a wrist injury suffered in the WMT race on Sunday at Thompson. I checked in with him and he is expecting a full recovery and looking forward to 2015.

Continue to keep Ron Yuhas in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to heal. It will be a few months before he receives the all clear and I am sure he is anxious to get beyond this setback.

Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that God loves you, we love you and

Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.

Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” Check our home pagewww.rwjm.com for past articles. Drop us a note and share your input and thoughts. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful support.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

May God always Bless you, everyday in every way. Rev. Don

Sources: RWJM