As I reflected on the last few weeks one things became very clear, we do not accomplish anything on our own. Anything worth accomplishing requires more than individual effort. We do not make it on our own. Take a look around, look at the team that enables you to get through life, let them know how much they mean to you. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Most teams have a front man, the one who stands in front and gets all the attention. Football has its quarterbacks and racing has its drivers. Back in the day both were more involved with the decisions and direction of the team. Today for the most part they are just one element of getting the job done.
It is difficult to get the job done if the front man isn’t leading. You see the front man in many cases is also the leader. They are the ones that can be the glue that holds the team together or the wedge that separate and divide. The front man has a unique job in addition to their team responsibilities, they have to lead from out front. They are the voice of all the team members. They have to give the team a reason to stay together and follow.
We have seen many talented individuals that couldn’t embrace the leadership aspect of their task. Many times they move from team to team. Many times the “chemistry” isn’t right for the team to achieve expectations. Many times we fail to lead. I remember a book that Lee Iacocca wrote, Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way. There are two main responsibilities of being on a team, one is to lead and the other is to follow. Anything else just gets in the way.
We need to remember we just can’t lead anywhere, we need to lead things in a certain direction with a certain purpose. A race team is looking for the win, the championship. They need to be doing things that will get them there. The team will only follow if they can see the goal and progress toward it. Having past success helps but doesn’t guarantee achievement. Every team is different and if we are in a leadership position we need to recognize that and determine what shape our leadership needs to take.
Putting our trust and faith in a leader is paramount to success. We cannot achieve anything without everyone pulling in the same direction. It zaps energy from the team to have to pull along those who refuse to climb on board. Only when we overcome that will we make progress.
I have seen many a team spend more time getting things together than moving toward the goal. I am reminded of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Yes we got them all looking nice and in the right location but shouldn’t we have paid attention to some other things that might have saved us from sinking?
Let’s put this into perspective, what do we need to be focused on? I think for most of us a full and satisfying life is a goal. Look at the difference this scripture presents;
John 10:10 (NLT), The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
There are many things we experience in life that fall into the first category and end up causing destruction. They tear down and destroy the things we seek to build. The results are not what we desired. The results can lead us to do the same to others. When things don’t turn out the way we hoped we do not want anyone to have joy. That makes for a very long and unfulfilling life.
I think a better option is to seek a rich and satisfying life. First step we need to follow the creator of life himself, Jesus Christ. He desires to lead us to a rich and satisfying life. He created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. I believe He should know the life that will satisfy and fulfill me. The next step is we need to pursue the things that enrich and fulfill. Not ourselves but others. Let me explain. When we are focused on fulfilling and satisfying ourselves we destroy everything around us. We end up alone, surrounded by all things, but not people.
We were created to be surrounded by people, not things. We were created to intertwine our lives with the lives of others. Our lives become full and satisfying when we see how we have enriched the lives of those we come into contact with.
I stood there talking with a man named Dave as he held his four month old daughter. As I explained we were grandparents a smile came to his face, “isn’t it amazing when you think of our kids having kids!” That struck me and a light went on. Yes it is! Yes a relationship with your children’s children is a special one. One of the most satisfying and fulfilling things I can think of.
Psalm 127, (NLT)
1 Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
To build that house takes many hands, many people are involved in shaping and molding the lives we live. If we are wanting to build a life that is satisfying and fulfilling we must build it on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We must follow Him. We must instill in our children the character of God. We must submit ourselves to the serving others, setting an example, allowing the little things to be overlooked and building a strong foundation. It takes many hands to build the house that serves the Lord. Strong enough to look beyond the self-serving desires of our own hearts. Gentle enough to nurture the next generation. Teach your children these virtues;
Galatians 5:22-23; (NLT), But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
We can choose who and what we follow. We can decide what legacy we want to leave. I encourage you it is never too late. You can choose to change the road you are on. There is hope. Choose this day who you will serve.
Joshua 24:15, (NLT), 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
SERVING ON MANY FRONTS- With the beginning of August comes a very busy stretch for Racing with Jesus Ministries. I was just going through the list of people and places we had out and about serving. Rev. Dan Petfield was joined by Chris Miinnich at Watkins Glen for the K&N and then headed over to Chemung for the ROC. Rev. Ray Pavkov was joined by Steve Fahy for the Whelen Modified Tour at Stafford while Ben Greenier was also there to cover the weekly competitors. Tars Stoehr continue to serve NEMA while Steve Fowler, Kevin Griggs and Joe Kelly head out to cover the dirt side of things, Steve in Pevely MO for the World of Outlaw Sprints, Kevin in Wisconsin for the Late Models and Joe at Bubba Speedway Park in Ocala FL. Not to be left out are our faithful local Chaplains, Bobby and Vinetta Somers at Lee USA, Bob Menschner at Wall Stadium and Pastor Scott Kraniak at Riverhead. Thank you all for your willingness to serve the racing community for our Lord.
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.
