We all lose control. We have moments when we just snap. Those aren’t our shining moments. With the pressure of year-end races that will determine our Champions things have the potential to get out of hand. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Things are getting out of hand was a saying my mom used when us kids started getting a little loud. She started there and then elevated her voice and shortened the sentence until we paid attention. Most times we didn’t and ended up sitting in a corner or our room for a while.
Things are getting a little out of hand in racing. I have been on the receiving end of many laments about how out of control the driving has become. Then as I watched the Camping World Truck Race the other day it was a clear picture of things totally out of control.
When is it okay to dump someone? Never. We cannot predict the outcome of a simple spin. Who knows what the rest of the field will do? I certainly don’t, I do know that if you are sitting across the track in a vulnerable position the likelihood of getting hit is high. The time it takes the message to get to the driver through the spotter and then to the brake peddle is longer than the time it takes the racecar to arrive on the scene,
Drivers have lost more than their car or the race in events of this nature. The risk far outweighs the gain, or so you would think. I have heard too many comments about wanting to win and needing to win. When does a win outweigh someone’s life? We have become all too callus with regard to the lives and wellbeing of others.
Have the cars become too safe? You might think that is a silly question but I think it is one that needs to be asked. When we don’t think there will be any adverse consequences we act differently. Does someone need to get hurt before we wake up and realize we are racing to endanger other’s lives? What happen to respect?
There are many questions and for everyone that is asked there are many opinions. The fact remains racing has gotten out of hand. Drivers are not showing each other that they value their lives. What we saw in the Truck race was a clear indication that respect has left the building.
I remember a rule I was taught as a young man, it came from the bible.
Luke 6:31 (NLT), Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
Pretty simple but yet we want to be given understanding and grace but are reluctant to give it. Jesus told this story when asked about how we should treat others.
Luke 10:29-37 (NLT), The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
We all want to justify our action. We all have reasons, excuses as to why we did what we did. We all want to be forgiven without taking responsibility. That is all foolishness when compared to the respect, grace and mercy God has shown to us.
Let me encourage you to make decisions that don’t have to be defended. Make choices that there is no law against. Treat others with the respect you would like to receive. Things have gotten out of hand and if a change doesn’t start soon someone’s life is going to be adversely affected.
Treat others with the respect you would like to receive and if the reward doesn’t come today it will come. You will be blessed for treating the life of others like you own.
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.
