“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Jim McEllrath is a true legend in car racing. He competed in over 160 races, finishing in the top five 47 times. He competed in the Indy 500 fifteen times – That is 7,500 miles on one track alone. His racing career covered five decades, starting in 1945. Jim McElreath was a strong competitor both on and off the race track.
Jim’s hardest race was not to be found on the speedway, but in his personal life. He experienced several personal tragedies in life. Jim’s son, James Jr., was killed in a crash in October 1977. His son was working hard to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Later, Jim’s daughter, Shirley, would die in a plane crash. Not long after the death of their daughter, Jim’s wife, Shirley Sr. would suffer a stroke that would leave her in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
I can’t begin to imagine the pain and sadness Jim McElreath experienced in his life. What makes Jim McElreath’s career such an accomplishment is how long and consistent he was in his driving. He was a great competitor from the time he started driving until the time he pulled his car into the pit for the last time. This was truly an accomplishment considering the hardships he went through along the way.
Life is that way for many of us. Success seems often to be accompanied by tragedy. The highs are often overshadowed by the lows. Even now, while we are fighting against a terrible virus, while businesses struggle and we see jobs being lost, I am reminded about the scripture above that reminds us although we are, “afflicted in every way” we are not finished. The love and the power of God has and will give us strength to keep going.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
