Incredible Power

This past weekend my two brothers and I made our annual visit to the NHRA Drag Race. This is something we do once a year as a sibling getaway. If you have ever been to one of these events you know it involves incredible noise and amazing speed. How could an engine generate enough power to thrust a car 300 miles per hour in less than a quarter of a mile? Every year I watch and leave with a sense of “wow” all over. However, observers only have to watch for a short period of time to learn that not all cars make a successful run. Many start only to have their race come to an abrupt end. How can this happen when they’re equipped with such power, precision, and professionalism? As an avid fan I have noticed several things that cause them to drop out. One of the most predominant is the driver gets too anxious, smokes the tires and loses traction. Another reason is called the “thump and bump” sound, meaning the engine blows. The third is loss of control which causes a driver to cross the line into the other lane resulting in disqualification. When I think of these reasons they remind me of the admonition given in Galatians 5:7 and Hebrews 12:1. “You did run well, who hindered you; Let us cast off the sin that so easily holds us back and run with patience the race that is set before us.” How many have had their race ended because they got in too big a hurry and lost their footing? Or how many have let anger overtake them only to find themselves with a blown relationship? Even greater still are those who have become distracted by temptation and have ventured into forbidden territory- the lane of sin only to be taken out of the race. God has given each of us incredible power. Yet, that power will only take you as far as patience, discipline, and focus will allow. Let us use what God has given looking unto the author and finisher of our faith whose desire is that we complete the race.