From time to time one of our Chaplains has a word on their heart they feel compelled to share. This week Todd Heft stepped up to the task of sharing what the Lord has placed on his heart. I am encouraged for you to hear a different voice sharing in this column. Let’s read what Todd has to share.
The last six months have been an unprecedented time, not only in the US but across the world. The first month we were all kind of managing. Things have now opened up a little in some places. I’ve managed to get to a couple of races over the last few months, and between that and talking with some other people, it’s pretty clear we’re at the end of our rope. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We’re tired of being in lockdown and feeling defeated. We’re worn out and worn down and feeling hopeless at times. Many people have lost jobs and are hanging on to what they still have for dear life. Here in Connecticut, we had a small tropical storm roll through two weeks ago. It knocked out the power to almost 1 million people and only served to add to the stress and tension people were already feeling. So how can we press on during challenging times? How do we react to each other in love rather than in anger? How do we have hope in a world filled with despair?
Jesus
I know it sounds so simple, but let’s look at some scriptures on how God wants us to react and be with one another.
Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV; “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
God doesn’t intend for us to do life on our own. We’re made to be in community. Even back in Genesis, God said that it wasn’t right for man to be alone, so he made him a helpmate, a woman to be the things the man wasn’t. When we intertwine ourselves with good people, we don’t let each other fall. At some point, life is going to be hard. At one time, things just aren’t going to go your way at the track. A life with Jesus doesn’t mean all of our problems on the track go away. It doesn’t mean life gets more comfortable, it means we have new hope.
Many of us have had some hard things come at us over the last six months. We’ve dealt with the loss of loved ones, with financial struggles and with isolation. What can you do to lift someone up this week? Who do you know that’s gone through something difficult? It probably doesn’t take long to think of someone. Now, what can you do? It doesn’t take much to reach out to people and let them know you care. I realize physically being together right now is hard, but what about having some food delivered to someone or flowers or maybe race car parts? Who doesn’t need more racecar parts?
What are you reaping both on and off the track? You hear often you reap what you sow, and many don’t realize it is from the Bible, let’s look at the full passage around it.
Galatians 6:7-10, NIV; “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
It doesn’t say to do good to only the people with the same political views as you. It doesn’t say to do good to only the drivers and teams that are nice to you on track. It doesn’t say when your life gets better to do good. It says, “let us do good to all people.”
Why? Why does God want us to treat those who may have treated us poorly so well? If we think about our own lives as a whole, we’ve probably done things that have deserved some pretty lousy treatment. We’ve done things where if God could look you in the eyes right now, we’d probably turn our heads in shame. I know I have. You know what’s amazing though? God wants to forgive us. He wants to set our path straight. He sent his son Jesus to die for our wrongdoings so that when our time on earth is done, we can have an eternity with him. This is where we can have hope. That no matter what this crazy world throws at us, we have a God that is behind us, that loves us and wants us with him forever. Our good doesn’t get us to heaven, it can glorify God, but an eternal life with God isn’t earned, it’s given. Freely, because he loves us. The apostle Paul writes about it in Ephesians:
Ephesians 2:8-10; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Think about the amazing things that God has done for you in your life. God has created each of us for a purpose, and let’s use what we have to lift up and bless others.
Thank you Todd for sharing from your heart. It is a great reminder that we can find hope in Christ. 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.
