There are times in our lives that having someone by our side makes all the difference in the world. Good times or bad it doesn’t matter, having someone to share them with means everything. Think about the people in your life that you are thankful for being there. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To continue on the theme of last week’s column let’s talk about what it means to be there for someone.

Psalm 23: 3b-4,

 He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

God walks alongside as we make our journey through life. He is there whether we acknowledge Him or not. Think about that for a moment. We expect Him to be there. When we feel overwhelmed, threatened, fearful, we call out to Him and ask for His help.

We call out to God as if He is in ear shout and request His assistance, deliverance, help and guidance. We expect Him to present Himself at our request.

The difficulty comes when we don’t recognize the way God shows up. We have a plan in our mind and when God’s plan is different we can fail to recognize it.

We all journey through life with a safety net; God. He cares for us, loves us, wants the best for us, but sometimes we would rather take our chances and see if we can do it on our own. That is not possible. We may feel like we are accomplishing a self-guided life, but the truth be told, God is there, by your side every step of the way. We do not have to request it, He is there.

We do however have to engage God’s presence. When we acknowledge Him and seek Him out, we will find Him and He will lead us on the path that is right. We do struggle with the fact that we can’t see him or touch him.

Let me suggest a way that we can see God. Racing with Jesus Ministries is committed to being there. We are committed to walking alongside and helping you find the right direction on your journey. We have been asked by God to set our lives aside and put walking alongside others as a priority. We have accepted that task and strive to carry it out to the best of our abilities.

I have said many times when asked what we do; “the greatest thing we do is being there.” That takes on many shapes and forms as you can imagine. Some are celebrations and victories. Some are disappointments and failures. Some are life and death. I was reflecting on the events of the last month and realized all the places I have “been”. All the times that I have been there. All the lives I have had the opportunity to touch, hold, encourage and guide. I am not worthy. No one but God is worthy. Yet He asks us, in our own imperfect selves to be the physical presence of His love in the lives of those who need to hold onto something.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not able to be there without God first being here in my life. Without His presence, guidance, wisdom, courage and strength, I am nothing. All the honor, glory and praise belong to Him. It is He who makes me able.

He has called me and the entire Racing with Jesus Family to the side of the racing community. He has uniquely equipped us to be there for the racers, theirs families, the teams, the officials, the track workers, the fans and anyone else our paths cross on this journey called life. We take that responsibility seriously.

The last month has been physically, emotionally and spiritually draining for me. But this Psalm reminds me of the God I serve. It renews my strength, restores my soul, comforts me, protects me and guides me in the direction God wants me to go.

“The Lord is my Shepard, I have everything I need.” Psalm 23:1

I would like to ask for your help to come alongside us. One of the commitments we make is to be there, wherever and whenever the racing community needs us. As racers you know the travel schedules, the hours spent at the track, the commitment it takes to race. Our commitment is the same, but our victory is different.

We are victorious when we can be there for you. When we can pray with you. When we can walk alongside you and listen as you pour out your frustration. When we can sit with you in that quiet moment and try to make sense of the day. When we reach in that window net and hold your hand, letting you know that God’s presence is with you as you compete. When we sit in the hospital with family and friends waiting for news. When it is time to say goodbye.

Being there encompasses so much, I could go on. The commitment remains, we will do our best to be there and to bring the love of God with us. We will commit to stand alongside and hold you up during the best and worst of times. We will Be There!

 

I am reminded of a Scripture;

Philippians 2:1-2; Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 

I encourage you to join us in one mind and purpose, being there. If you are reading this you have a part in all we do. Your part is bigger than you know. Without your participation we cannot continue to be there.

Let me challenge everyone who is reading this; take a moment and place one dollar in an envelope and mail it to us. If everyone who reads this does that simple task we will be able to remove the weight that is keeping us from being there. The weight of debt is a great burden and that simple effort will remove that for us.

Please take me serious, if you read this, place a dollar in an envelope and mail it to RWJM, PO Box 586, Tolland CT 06084. The encouragement from these envelopes will fuel this ministry to be there.

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.