NHRA Chaplain Larry Smiley

As we ponder the events of the last week, to say it has been a roller coaster would be a gross understatement. If you have followed the events of Eric Medlen's crash, you, too, have felt the shock of the first report, the hope of recovery, and ultimately the devastation of loss.

I am a man of God who loves motorsports. When I was called to the Racers For Christ ministry, I was excited and humbled that God would allow my love for Jesus and my passion for racing to intersect. Having gone through a week like last week makes me realize that without God, I could not be effective in this ministry.

I have grown to love the racers, their families, and crewmembers to the extent that I associate more with them, many times, than my own family. These relationships mean a great deal to me. I have grown to love some, admire others, and marvel at God's handiwork. In Psalms 139, it says these unique individuals are “wonderfully made.” They have been fashioned by God in his image, and God knows the number of their days before there was even one of them.

May I make an oversimplification? Life is fragile. We become familiar with those around us. We expect them to be at the next race. We expect them to answer the phone when we call. We expect to read about their superhuman exploits on the racetrack. What we don't expect is for them to die; certainly not at the peak of their racing career. We don't expect the phone call that says, “I have bad news.” I have been on both ends of those phone calls with Darrell Russell, Shelly Howard, and now Eric Medlen. Whether you have been assigned to make those calls or you are the regrettable recipient, it sucks!

It is in times like these that God's love is most evident. He comforts through his word and his promises. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He comforts through his people that offer up prayers and make phone calls of encouragement. He comforts through the hugs that bring tears to the “hugger and the huggee.”

God is merciful. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you…” He walks us through to the other side. Even when life crashes in on us, God is there. We may not realize it until we look back days or years down the road.

God will get us through this difficult time. Racing will go on, as it already has. This is the way the racers who have gone before us would want it to be.

Please allow God to comfort you during these days of sorrow. The words of the old hymn “God on the Mountain” are appropriate here:

The God on the mountain,
Is still God in the valley.

The God of the day,
Is still God in the night.

If you ever wondered where Eric got that contagious smile and his enormous enthusiasm for life, you would need to include the fact that he had made peace with God through believing and receiving God's son, Jesus Christ. Eric lived out the desires of his heart here on Earth, and he passed away knowing his reward was awaiting him in heaven.

Facing the reality of Eric Medlen's passing is tragic. Hope in God will sustain us.

If we at Team RFC can be of any assistance, please contact us at www.teamrfc.org or call (480) 507-5323. I can be reached at (405) 834-4301.

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