Running The Race
If you’ve ever watched a Nascar race you know the bulk of the attention is on the driver. The driver has to have disciplined his or her body for the length and stress of the race. They must stay focused on the track and any cars in front of them and be in tune with their own car. The goal? Cross the finish line first, or as close to first as possible.
But it takes more than an experienced driver and a finely tuned race car to win a race. Every driver has a team and each team member has a specific role to play to help that driver do the very best in order to win. The pit crew are ready to jump the wall and race to replace worn tires, refuel the engine, make minor adjustments in split seconds to get the car and its driver back in the race. The spotter sits way up high, can see all the other cars around their teammate and has the ability to communicate directly with the driver to give direction, encouragement and immediate warning when there is danger. The thrill of the crowd in the stands cheering for their favorite driver is exciting and energizing.
And when the driver wins…the whole team celebrates! My favorite part of the win is watching the whole crew run to the driver and high five and hug and throw their hands up high to celebrate the victory. And if you listen you’ll hear the driver thank the crew and crew chief, the owner and so on. Because that winner knows…they did not get there on their own. It was a team effort!
You and I are in a race. While we may feel, at times, like we are on our own, in this race, the Apostle Paul told us in Hebrews 12:1 (CEV) “Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.” We are not alone! God gives us people to come alongside to cheer us on, to help us AND He puts us in the pit crew of others to do the same.
We also have a spotter! The Holy Spirit can see everything and He will communicate with us, giving us direction, encouragement and warnings of danger. The goal of our race isn’t cross the finish first. Our goal…is to finish the race well. So keep running the race. Let’s keep cheering each other on. And let’s listen closely to the voice of the One who gave His all so we could truly run this race well. And that’s the win!
Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside
