Whether there are trucks sliding around the Eldora Speedway in the Mudsummer Classic or stock cars roaring by on the hot pavement of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, if the race involves a lot of speed, competitiveness, carnage, numerous passes and a winner in victory lane at the end of it all, I love it.
I grew up watching racing on TV, as well as in person at the various midnight drag races and dirt races I went to with my family.
Racing is a major test of endurance, perseverance and patience as lap after lap, run after run, the driver must stay in their top form, much like with the race that followers of Jesus, like myself, run.
The race in which I am talking about with myself and other followers of Jesus alike, is of course the race of faith.
In 1 Timothy 6:12, the race of faith begins as it says for us to “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Next in Hebrews 12:1, Colossians 2:18, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Philippians 3:14, we receive instructions on how to run the race and what all is needed to finish the race in a better way than we all started it in.
Then, in 2 Timothy 4:7 and Matthew 25:21 we find the conclusion of the race and the overall residing purpose of the race.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” 2 Timothy 4:7.
“His master replied, ‘well done, my good and faithful servant…’” Matthew 25:21
My Green Flag
As far as my race goes, I was about 10 years old when it began as I gave my heart to God and accepted His Son Jesus into my life.
Throughout my involvement with my church through the Royal Ranger ministry and Frontier Camping Fellowship ministry, as well as with various friendships over the years, I have experienced many caution flags and obstacles.
There were failed relationships with friends and family, tough classes throughout school, tough situations in church campouts and in the work environment, along with various other caution flags.
None of the caution flags completely brought my race to a red flag situation, or halt; however, they taught me and strengthened me as a Christian.
The Value of Teammates
Now, throughout the years, I have learned that this race cannot be ran or completed by only myself and that teammates play an essential part in it.
Much like with racing on the speedway, without teammates to help you and bounce ideas off of, you start feeling lonely and begin to stumble. You could also miss out on key intelligence that could help you later in the race.
For me, friends like Kolten Minor, Evan Sligar, Osamu Sakamoto and Haylee Bates to just name a few, as well as leaders like all my Royal Ranger commanders and other church family, have been the best teammates throughout my time in the race.
They have each taught me various things, like patience, brotherly love and what it means to be a Christ-like follower at all times.
Without God giving me each of them as teammates in this race, my willingness to pursue that overall prize (2 Timothy 4:7 & Matthew 25:21) would not be at the high level it is currently at. I can’t thank each of them, and the Lord, enough for everything they have taught me over the years.
Victory Lane
In the end, I hope to claim that prize. I hope to be able to say that I have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. I hope to have the Master say to me ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’ I also hope to have all those teammates, and more teammates, right there alongside me in victory lane; Heaven.
It will all happen though, I am sure of it, through patience, perseverance and endurance throughout each lap and every run of this race of faith.
