My 8-year-old son, Kedar, loves race car driving. He really gets a kick out of seeing those sleekly designed vehicles whip around the track at lightning fast speed. He and his father, Kenya, watch the races together all the time. And somehow, during dinner over the weekend, the conversation turned toward the discussion of both the excitement and danger of some professional sports and career fields. We talked at length about how men (and some women depending upon the profession) risk their lives as: soldiers, police officers, race car drivers, firefighters, football players, and such.
And since all four of the children seemed completely engrossed, Kenya and I took the opportunity to teach them the importance of knowing the risks involved in choosing certain career paths. But we also told them not to allow fear to paralyze them when it comes to doing what they feel passionate and called to.
That’s why it seemed almost ironic yesterday when news broke that Dan Wheldon, a popular 33 year old Indy race car driver died in a fiery 15-car crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The car he was driving flew over another vehicle on Lap 13 and smashed into the wall. He left behind a wife and two small children.
The story is so sad.
But Dan Wheldon lived and died doing what he believed was his calling in life.
Can you say the same?
Or do you allow fear of failure, risk factors, concern over other people’s opinions, or the inevitable obstacles that surround every life goal, stop you in your tracks?
If you’re not doing what you know the Lord has instructed you to do because you’re worried, anxious, or scared, this post is for you.
Right now, I’m stirring this admonition into your cup of inspiration: don’t allow drawbacks to be setbacks in your life. If you know God has called you to do something, press forward in His strength and courage.
One of my husband Kenya’s favorite quotes is an excerpt from President Theodore Roosevelt’s speech "Citizenship In A Republic," that he delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910. I'm adding this famous excerpt right into your cup as well.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Will you stand on the sidelines of life too afraid to launch out, or will be the man or woman in the arena?
The choice is yours.
God, thank You for the opportunity to serve You with my life and make a difference in this world for Your glory. Even though I know it is a privilege, fear often holds me back from pursuing the path to destiny You have set for me. Today, I ask that You will help me walk in boldness and courage, trusting You to strengthen and empower me for every task. I also pray that You will give me a mindset that says, If I die, let me die, in the army of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
