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Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Ladies and gentlemen: Start your engines! For over 100 years, hundreds of thousands of visitors plunge yearly into the passion and traditions of the Indy 500 race. From breathless heights of victory to devastating pits of despair, the statistics pile up, tangled bits of history glimpsed among the wreckage of hopes and dreams. And the race continues…the flags wave their messages…and the announcers and media center blast their fueled results of the winner.
As Christians, we roar into our lane of earthly life, and the Bible compares our experiences to a race (a runner’s race but a race nevertheless). Begun some 6,000 years ago of recorded history, God offered to live in relationship with His creation of mankind. The laps of time passed, and eventually mankind decided to wreck his life. But God provided redemption and allowed him to reenter the race with new life under the hood!
Now, we drive the short 2.5 laps of life repeatedly, but our eyes are focused on the LORD, not on money, fame, or relationships. We are not as proud as before the defeat because we realize our sinful nature. But our new race uses the pure clean-burning ethanol of His energizing fueling Word. Mixed with enough humanity for others to see the fire of His love for us, we turn the laps of our lives, attracting others to our Savior.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum boasts dozens of Indy 500 winning cars since the first race in 1911. A dazzling collection of styles, colors, sponsors, decals, and shapes, they praise the accolades of their owners as they proudly park in the last winner’s circle – the museum. As I posed with the car that won in my birth-year, I realized that God lavishly displays the stunning victory of His racing men and women. I John 5:4 waves the flag of that victory, emblazoned with the word faith, boldly written across the checkered banner. In the daily pits of life, we refuel with the high octane of His Word. We change our worn tires for new tread that grips life with the traction of God’s Word. And we check the oil level of the Holy Spirit for daily turbo charging.
Christians, start your engines of faith!
