Memorial Day is more than remembering. It is a challenge as to how we will live tomorrow. Many events not only serve as reminders but inspire us to consider the lives of others as we live our own lives. Life is precious and fragile, let us commit to doing more to support and encourage. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The picnic, a favorite American pastime. A collection of lives that reflect all that makes family, family and a few friends sprinkled in. As I drove past the collection of cars at various gatherings I thought about the lives we are given to live. Some had small gatherings. Others overflowed into several houses on the street. Some were just private and others invited the world in.
I thought back to a picnic in 1986, we lived in East Hartford CT, and it was a race day. For the first time the Indy 500 would be shown live, Flag to Flag. I brought the TV to the picnic. Picnics were good, but this was historic after all it was the Indy 500.
Times have changed. As I watched the live feed on my handheld cell phone driving home from church I reflected on the effort I went through that day to watch a race. You young kids wouldn’t understand. TV’s were so big back in the day they were furniture. Portable meant three guys and a truck!
As I watched Scott Dixon fly through the air, I was in awe and disbelief. I knew this had the potential to turn out very bad. Helio Castroneves drove under him as he sailed through the air. Slamming the wall with the side of the car it burst into flames and started to roll. Flipping he came crashing down on his head. The car came to rest on the edge of the track, right side up, only one wheel left. Safety workers were there almost immediately. Scott climbed out of the driver pod, stepped onto the track, waved to the crowd and walked to the safety vehicle.
Amazed, I shared with my wife, who was driving. I remembered the lives that had been lost at the Brickyard for much minor incidents. Later that day she would watch the entire accident and share my amazement that the driver walked away. Her comment as she watched was the same each time; “He walked away?”
My mind reflected on all those who haven’t been as fortunate in racing. Those who have suffered life ending injuries in the sport that I love. They are the ones that paved the way for Scott Dixon to walk away. Then the thought occurred to me, if he could walk away, why can’t all drivers be protected?
Racing is one thing that not everyone gets. We live in our own little world that revolves around driving in circles. We mourn those who have blessed us with so many memories. We are excited about what the next race holds. Some would say we are living the dream.
What about the rest of life, what about the lives that were given so we could race? Not only the men and women that serve this country, but your own family. No one races without their family being involved. Have you thought about how much others give so that we can race?
Expanding on that when we look around there are many who are serving us in one way or another. Think about the stores that are open, the restaurants that serve, the gas stations and convenience stores, all there to serve us. At times we take it for granted.
What about us, who are we here to serve? Who are we here to support? Who are we here to encourage?
Mathew 20:20-28; Jesus Teaches about Serving Others
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. 21 “What is your request?” he asked.
She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
23 Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus reveals the greatest lesson we can learn, servanthood. We want so much, we desire fame and fortune, and we want the whole enchilada. Truth be told, to be great we must humble ourselves and serve others. How’s that working out for us?
We honor the men and women that serve and sacrifice to give us freedom. We hold in high regard those who satisfy our desire to be entertained by preforming death defying feats on the race track. We lift up our own family for the sacrifices they make so we can pursue our dreams. What have we done to serve others?
The secret to showing others how precious their lives are is to serve them. Remember that picnic? Remember the people we surround ourselves with? Why do we want them around? They mean something to us. They are precious in our sight. We want to serve them. We want them to know how much we appreciate them.
I challenge you to serve all mankind that way. To show the Love of God to everyone.
1John 4:9-12; God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
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.
