February 28th, 2005

Run the Race
 

The word "race" means: competition of speed.  Karters must love to race, because we love competition and speed.  We race in different formats, all with the same goal, to go across the finish line first.  Multiply that by the number of races in our particular series and you have a race season.  As the season rapidly approaches we must again make the decision to race or not to race.  We weigh the cost and if we decide to race it's time to get into action. 

What is it about racing that captures us, motivates us to action, changes our life style and causes us to pay the cost?  Certainly it's the excitement of speed, the close competition and seemingly the release of our very souls.  For that we give it all we have and receive momentary reward.  It also offers relief from the other race called the "rat race", the monotonous spin of life.  But remember, even in our kart races we end up where we started. 

Another meaning of the word race is: a steady onward movement or course.  This is the race God would have us on and it offers eternal rewards.  Christianity is not an hour a week spiritual event like running a 10 lap or 30 min. race, but a moment by moment, on site relationship with the living God.  Our coach, the Word of God, challenges us this way.  1 Corinthians 9:24-25:  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."  

From this we can see the Christian life needs determination, strict training, with direction and intention, with the goal of an eternal reward.  Our earthly goal is to bring glory to God in all areas of our lives.  Have you ever said, when you see the wrong in our society, "that's not the way it should be?"  Jesus changes the wrong in us when we trust in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and makes us the change agents where we live.

Ken Dressler

© 2005 TeamRFC