“Believers cannot be truly happy or at peace as long as they
remain largely focused upon themselves and their own needs, wants, and hurts.
Only in becoming outwardly focused on ministering to the needs of others can
they experience real satisfaction and sense of purpose. Thus we pastors do them
a great disservice if we allow people to continue to see themselves primarily
as recipients of ministry rather than deliverers of ministry.” ― Robert Morris, The
Blessed Church: The Simple Secret to Growing the Church You Love
This weekend is one of my favorites of the year. It is also one of the busiest and most
stressful of the year. That kind of
sounds weird. I know.
Thousands and thousands of people flow into Martinsville and
Henry County as one of the most important industries that supports our
community celebrates speed, fun and the incredible sport of auto racing. The smell of the fumes from burning fuel and
spinning rubber from tires cannot be matched by much else.
But it not the speed of cars or the variety of the people who
come together that intrigues me. It
really is all the people who come to one place, and we have the opportunity to
serve race fans and share with them the hope that comes from knowing Jesus.
Yep. That is the
reason that about 100 volunteers serve with Raceway Ministries in Martinsville
and serve the needs of fans. We pray for
opportunities to talk about Jesus. And
by the way, this will be my 17th year to take part in this work, and I get to
work with a bunch of great people.
It is challenging. In
fact it looks like the weather may be a bit tougher than normal, but all around
us are opportunities.
Choosing to serve others over choosing our comfort or serving
ourselves is a very big deal. Look again
at the quote above from Pastor Robert Morris.
He hits it out of the proverbial park with this idea.
Then look to the verses below. When we choose to serve others and share
Christ, we choose to make life about what really matters. People need to know and accept that God loves
each and every one of them and offers unending hope.
Philippians
2:2-4 NASB
make my
joy complete by being of
the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one
purpose. Do
nothing from selfishness
or empty
conceit, but with humility of mind regard
one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out
for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
This really is why we do what we do, at The Community
Fellowship and through outreaches like Raceway Ministry. Pray for this weekend’s opportunities to lift
up Jesus!
John
12:32 NASB
And
I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.
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