I am sure you have heard the phrase “unprecedented” as it relates to the time we are going through. As I was thinking through a comment I read recently it directed my thoughts a different way. What is the end game? As we keep turning laps around the sun when do we take our life in a different direction? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As I look back on my years around racing I am finding that I prefer some things over others. One is short features. I liked the 80 lap version of the Sizzler much better than the current 200 lap version. I enjoy the 35-40 lap main events that you see frequently in local racing. I enjoy a good 40 lap A main. Don’t get me wrong there is a place for the occasional long race; Indy 500, Daytona 500, Southern 500, to name a few, that hold a special place. My thought process concludes the feature needs to be compact and entertaining, that is what I prefer.
I wonder if I am alone in that thought. I am not a marathon runner, no kidding right. I am not a marathon watcher either. I like the start and finish, preferably in close proximity to one another. When there is too much time turning laps I find myself distracted and looking for something else to hold my interest. Call it the remote control syndrome, keep flipping the channels looking for something to hold your interest longer than a few minutes.
Are you finding yourself at the end of this pandemic? Are you ready to close the book and move on? I am. I certainly understand the precautions taken when it looked like a large number of the population would contract the virus and overwhelm our health care system. I am heartbroken for the families that have lost loved ones to this dreaded virus. I struggle to find balance between too much caution and too much complacency. But the laps keep turning.
In racing we have the benefit of the scoreboard and a flagman. We can see the lap count and know when the race will end. In the absence of the scoreboard we can watch the flagman, crossed flags, we’re halfway. White flag, one to go, Checkered flag, we are finished.
I find myself looking for the white flag, I want this to be over and I’m sure I am not the only one with those thoughts. I find myself wondering who the flagman is and when will the white flag fly? As challenging as this has been, it didn’t end the world, it didn’t stop time and it didn’t wipe out the human race. We succeeded in flattening the curve but at what cost? I am concerned for the days and weeks ahead that we have done irreparable damage to the mind, body and soul of many. You see we were created for life, living, not in fear but in Joy. We were created to seek peace from our creator. We have lost sight of that. Maybe this will turn some of us back to God, a place where we should have been all along. Maybe, just maybe we will awaken from the lie that we can control our own destiny and seek out the Lord for guidance and direction.
2 Timothy 1:7; NLT; For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Anyone who has ever ran a race knows when the race is run your finishing position isn’t always in your control. There are other drivers in the race and they all have an agenda. That agenda changes as the race unfolds. I have seen drivers get upset with another driver and forget about the race, focusing instead on not letting the other driver finish. You can run a perfect race and not win because of the actions of others. Some intentional, some unintentional. I have seen a tool left on the bumper fall off in the middle of the pace laps waiting there in the groove to be kicked up into the radiator ending the race for one of the top qualifying cars. You just don’t know and all our preparation can be for naught because of a forgetful moment.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us of some things we need to remember;
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11; NLT; History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
Solomon was given a choice from God to receive one gift. He chose wisdom. He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to share with us what he learned. He determined our pursuits are fruitless unless we pursue God and His will. All else is chasing after the wind.
How are we doing in that pursuit? How have we used this time to change our perspective? Have we been hard pressed enough to surrender control to the one who has control? All things we need to consider as the world around us searches for the day when the white flag waves. Until then we are turning laps, each one an opportunity to live life differently, each one a new day for us to take our journey down the road that leads to glory.
The scoreboard is out of sight and I can’t remember if the flagman crossed his flags and we are pass halfway. We may be nearing the white flag but God only knows that. I encourage you to take each moment you are blessed with here on earth and choose to live differently, choose to honor God. If you are not sure what that means we are here to walk alongside and provide support, guidance and encouragement.
Ecclesiastes 1:3-8; NLT; What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
Jesus said;
John 14:27; NLT; “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 16:33; NLT; I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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.
