Fourteen years ago I started racing at Christian Racing. I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go during those years. I have also made some life long friends. A few years ago Brent Rathy asked me if I would become president. Wow, I thought, me, what is he thinking. I accepted the position and consider it an honor to do what I can to keep the league going strong. It is my joy to make sure everything runs smooth on race nights, so we can have a great experience and forget about the cares of this world for a couple of hours each race night. Although sometimes I do make some mistakes.
I encourage each of you to read Matthew chapters 5 -7. This was Jesus preaching the sermon on the mount. Here is a small part. Matthew 5:33-48 NKJ version.
33“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
I’m not naive to think everyone here is a Christian. My prayer is that if someone is not a Christian they will see a difference in us and want what we have and accept Christ. But if our actions on the track are not kind, we are no different then the world. Why then, would they want to change? Remember, you have no idea what the other person on the track is going through. They could have issues with their job, problems in their marriage, health, family, or financial difficulties. The other drivers are not your enemy, they are your competitors on the track and hopefully your brothers off the track. We should be using team speak to be a blessing to others, not to call people out and tear them down. If you have an issue with another driver, go to them in private, not publicly calling them out. Remember our 24 hr cooling off period. Most things are forgotten by then anyway. The negativity has to stop; it is from Satan himself. If you make a mistake, man up if you make a mistake, nobody is perfect. Jesus is the only perfect person to walk this earth. Yes I know we are all competitive, but at the end of the day, this is still just a game. There is no money or trophies, but hopefully good times to be had. We all need to ask ourselves, why do I race here. I hope you don’t want to just race here, but become part of the group. Let’s be praying for each other, not just during the driver’s meeting but daily through the week. Let’s all take pride in what we have here. To God be the glory!
One last thing. Christ died for your sins and for my sins. Today is the day of salvation! We are all gonna spend eternity somewhere, Heaven or Hell. There is no better time to know Jesus as your Lord and personal savior than Easter. If you don’t know him and you want to, pray this simple prayer.
God, I’m a sinner and I ask you to forgive me. I need to be saved and I want to be saved. If you save me right now I will give you my life. Thank you Jesus for saving me. Amen.
If you really meant it you are now a child of the King, Congratulations on the best decision you will ever make. Welcome to the family of God. Now go tell somebody.
He Is Risen.
God bless and Happy Easter.
Brian Barkley