January 24th, 2005

“A Spirit of Competition”

             Racers are known for having a very competitive assumption about themselves, on and off the track. That competitive spirit is natural in others too, regardless of who they are, or what they do. Serving as a chaplain for fifteen years, I’ve witnessed the spirit of competition pushed to the limit!

            Do you realize God is also very competitive? He passionately competes daily for our attention, affection, and thoughts. He desperately desires us to duly walk in His ways as we compete in and for the ultimate race in life.

            God has a path and purpose for each of us, and along that trail are weaknesses that affect us all, but we mustn’t let them get us off track. We shouldn’t be the culprit that causes another’s pain, suffering, or disappointment. Those who finish the ultimate race admirably can stand tall knowing they successfully endured: driving a great race for the cause of Christ.

God not only wants us to win the battle for eternity, He also wants us to be a visible participant shedding light on the whole aspect of Christianity. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Come on people, let’s shine like stars in the universe.

            Life as we know it revolves around competition in everything. We grow up (sometimes being pushed), to be the best in sports or scholastics, at times selfishly displaying our antics to anyone who will watch or listen to our avid abilities.

            Siblings compete for a parent’s attention. Animals compete for a master’s affection. Racers compete for a sponsor’s money. Stores and sports compete for a share of their niche in the market. Regardless of what you’re doing, someone somewhere is competing for your business, your attention, or your appetite: competing for your valued approval.

            Advertisers, spends billions of dollars annually to get you to consider what they have for you, your family, your home, and your ultimate pleasure. The racing industry is another example of competition. They sell competition parts, while in competition with other manufactures, to people who compete against their competitors.

            The heart of this month’s story involves the annual Team RFC Staff Training Conference held in Arizona. A “Grand Adventure” takes place one afternoon to get our staff out of the meeting rooms and into an atmosphere of fun, because morale is important in any organization.

There is a competition of sorts within all organizations to keep their people content. Even churches compete (with godly competition of course) for their constituency. 

Now back to the story.  Our chaplains and spouses piled into a bus headed for the Speedway Indoor Kart Racing Center, in Phoenix, (the same place where Steve Grein, Ken Stout and the “Newave” filming crew, along with some racers held a benefit for “RESP” during the 2004 IHBA World Finals). The anticipation of the competition was evident. You could feel it as the drivers donned their helmets. The chaplains were chomping at the bit to race. Their competitive juices were flowing at the first hint of green.

The objective was to see who could turn the quickest time, not who would actually win the race, but it happened early in the first heat. Drivers were anxious, and aggressively drove as fast as they could to get around anyone who was in front of them, attempting to win the race!

To quote the Good Book, “The Spirit was willing but the body (the mind in this case) was weak.” The Spirit of chaplain camaraderie soon fell by the wayside as the heat of competition flared inside some competitors.

It should have been, “No, you go first,” but that wasn’t always the case. At times it was “Get out of my way, I’m coming through.” Chaplains or not, winning was working overtime within God’s workmanship … welcome to the world of racing and wrecking!

Unfortunately, just as the waiver video stated, “Injuries or death may occur,” the chaplains started getting injured. By the end of the evening a half dozen Team RFC chaplains were on the sidelines with injuries, including yours truly, who was forced into the wall by another driver. I had just slowed to pass two karts that were spun out when I was slammed into the wall by someone who wanted to pass me more than he wanted to wait a couple more turns to get around me.

So much for mercy and compassion for others, so much for the “Golden Rule” that should apply to everyone, so much for a spirit of team unity.

Fittingly, God shines through as the best example of unity. The “Trinity” (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are always concerned about what’s best for each other. They are never in competition with each other. The Godhead cares, shares, and spares no love to see that the other one’s best interest is first and foremost. If it’s good enough for God, it good enough for us!

The Bible teaches, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). We all must keep the proper perspective—God’s perspective—in our hearts and minds at all times, even while competing with each other. We mustn’t let this fallen world dictate how we live and act. We serve God, not the world. We’re “in the world, but not of it.”

Paul told the Corinthians “Do you not know that in a race all runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1Corinthians 9:24). The prize goes to those who win their individual race for God’s kingdom. Meaning to love and serve all others’ needs first. “So the first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16).

Winning the ultimate race implies “doing everything as unto the Lord.” The truth lived is, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). We must love as Christ loved … always seeking what’s best for all others, not causing or injuring anyone emotionally, spiritually, or physically.

Scripture says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). The ultimate race isn’t on a racetrack, its staying on track with the Lord. It’s keeping on track with God’s best interest at heart in your own heart and mind for your fellow brothers and sisters.

Racing is extraordinarily exciting, but it’s not worth injuring someone else created in God’s own image just because you have a desperate desire to don the checkered flag after the green drops. In God’s kingdom, everyone is a winner, so there is nothing to prove by bumping and banging someone else around even if you are bigger, faster, smarter, or a better driver on or off track.

Being involved in drag boat racing is surely one of life’s greatest blessings. It will always be a continual challenge to get down the track as quick and smooth and straight as possible … without running over something. Safely staying in the middle of any race course is always what the heavenly Doctor ordered.

Life is to be lived on the “narrow road” not the naughty lane. The cost of following Jesus necessitates becoming like Jesus, “taking care of business,” His, while denying self. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life” (Matthew 8:22  The Message).

            God is also extremely competitive in His desire for everyone to believe and trust in Jesus as their personal Savior. First, we should race to receive Him as Lord of our life. The green flag signals answer the call. Second, the white flag means submit and accept the solution (of believing) in winning the most important race of your life!

            Third, the checkered flag is acknowledging the race: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him for the dead you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).  You win by freely choosing to participate in the big race!

            The most critical elapsed time for you will be the very moment you cross the finish line of life. Will you go immediately into God’s presence? Or will you be ushered into eternity apart from God? That’s not just a loss, because it could be hell … if you know what I mean. The registration fee was paid, and the entry form to get into this race was completed as Jesus competed and defeated the enemy of our souls.

I’ll get over my sore ribs, and the Lord has forgiven the aggressive driving habits of His servants. Thankfully, He loves us no matter what we do. With that in mind, remember that “our time here on earth is a dress rehearsal,” so dress properly by clothing yourself in mercy, compassion, goodness, kindness, gentleness, patience, and of course, always being filled with love on and off the track while competing for the real prize, and the only trophy that matters!

Jim Jack

© 2005 TeamRFC