ENGAGE EVERYTHING YOU BELIEVE IN (2/4)

In this blogseries I am reflecting on why I race cars. I do this at the beginning of each season to break down the complexity of the answer to the most essential components. This is part 2.

"Like pastoring The Rock Church, it requires that I peak at my best every 7 days!"
Every Sunday I am expected to get up in front of The Rock Church and bring it. By "bring it," I mean people expect me to be prayed up, studied, ready and willing to share a message of life change from the Bible. I want you to know this brings out the best in me. My passion, mission and calling become crystal clear every Sunday. The response of people lets me know it may be live or die for some, that what the Bible says matters. Beyond that, the people coming, giving and receiving lets me know our church is on the right course.

During race season my best is required every Saturday night. Racing is what I try and do my best, so I can do what I do on Sunday my best! Make sense? Maybe not. Racing refreshes me! I don't think about exegesis when I'm going a 130 down the backstretch on the 5/8s. I'm not concerned with the crisis of the day when I'm inches from another car with the pedal to the metal. I'm thinking about this moment, not a moment, but the split moment. It's not the seconds that refresh, it's the tenth of seconds. I can't explain it other than when I'm hot, sweaty, exhausted and sore after 150 laps at Evergreen Speedway, I feel like I can do what I do on Sunday better than ever!!!! Sure, I sleep a little less on race night, but no worries, the adrenaline is lingering on Sunday when I take the platform at our church.

Here's the deal. I don't do "halfway." I can't do something just for the fun of it, not wired like that. I've got to be the best I can be, based on my personal integrity. It's not that I have to be first all the time, it's that I have to be my best all the time. If my words, thoughts and actions don't line up then I get whacked. The bottom line is my best has to emerge, not in comparison to someone else, but in comparison to me.

There have been hundreds of people through the doors of The Rock Church because I race. There are dozens active in our church today. Like Fred Hall, drive of the #6 said, "I get close to my pastor by being door to door coming out of turn 4."

Easter '08, there were over a dozen race cars drivers in attendance at TRC, many of their crew also. There have been countless people at church to receive Christ, there are many who volunteer. Also, the race community is so generous they have given cars, mechanical work, body work to moms on Mother's Day at TRC. My best on the weekends brings out the best in those who come to TRC.

For part 1 click here. Tune in tomorrow for part 3.