Bumping Up in the Christian Race

One of our sons loves to race motocross.  It is more than a hobby.  It has become a great way to foster the competitive drive that a young man has, a great reason to train, eat right, and exercise, and an outlet for the mindset of freedom and speed that a seventeen-year-old needs.  Bradley has put himself into a pretty strict discipline, setting his priorities, and putting forth great effort to reach goals.  2020 is going on his third year of racing arenacross.

In his first year, he only ran a few races. He got his feet wet, learned the system, and learned what it took to build a competitive bike.  We would cheer him on, pray for his safety, and drive back home with a happy boy content with finishing.

His second year was much different.  During the off season, he began to get serious. He worked on cardio, working out on a stationary bike, building up his stamina.  By the time the first race dropped the gate, he was already in top physical form and if for no other reason, was way ahead of other competitors purely on physical conditioning.  His work ethic and drive to be successful surprised even himself; he began to win.  The long season was an exciting one.  Each race he would check the point standings and see where he stood.  He went from being a no-name, to winning races, to being a contender for the series title.  Impressively, the championship was wrapped up in the second-to-final round, giving him a sure and clinching victory.  He didn’t even need to show up the last race.

Because he had won the 250cc Class C championship, this year he wasn’t eligible to continue riding C class.  This brought a new set of emotions full circle, as a newcomer would almost certainly become quickly initiated by the much faster B riders. He felt much like when he started racing C class.  He still conditioned.  He still practiced.  He still tried to make his body the best physically as he could.  He still worked on getting sponsors and prepping his bike. Regardless of all these things, there was yet a voice in the back of his head that said the first time he stepped out on the track, he was going to get run over by the better, faster, and older riders.

He had a choice.  Move up or stay home.

Sometimes the journey of life is much the same.  Our Christian walk, in similar ways, can become complacent, comfortable.  Sometimes we are used to winning.  Sometimes we enjoy the place where we just want to keep riding on the top of C class, a place of familiarity and ease. Yes, we maybe need to mature and grow in our faith and relationship with the Lord, but we are comfortable winning where we are, and don’t want to make the effort to get to a higher level.  We as Christians can so easily settle into a pace that might be fine for a time, but not one that the Lord wants us to run our whole lives.  He never intended life to be lived that way.

Brad’s pace was fast.  He was consistently winning C class races.  His friends and family were happy.  We all celebrated.  It was exciting to attend the end-of-season awards ceremony, watching him stand in the spotlight of the podium and receive his champtionship trophy.

But we can’t stand still in life.

God calls us on to something higher.

Early this summer, when we showed up for his debut B class race, we weren’t sure what to expect.  He felt he would be run over by the better class. He had been telling his own mind that he was going to get killed.  I wasn’t sure.  He went out for practice with the rest of the B riders.  I noticed that after a few laps with the faster boys, he could do some jumps that not everybody in the class was able to do.  He had never even jumped these jumps before himself, and I was impressed with the almost instant improvement from last season.  When he came off, I told him my observations, and tried to give him a platform of confidence to stand on.  

“Listen, you’re doing jumps that some of the other B riders can’t do.  If you can just get a good start, I think you can hang with these guys.  Get a good start and I think you are going to open some eyes.”

Moto 1 came finally came.  The gate dropped.  He got a great start.  To his own surprise, he was not only racing well, but challenging other riders who were more seasoned than he.  He ended up finishing second.  He was ecstatic.  I was ecstatic.  Everyone who went to support him was bubbling inside at the unexpected finish that had just occurred.  Nobody expected him to earn a runner-up in his debut moto.  He came off the track as pleased as a peach, and my face, congratulating him, told him that he had never rode that fast before.

The second moto was a repeat of the first.  I wasn’t sure where he got such a burst of speed, but he was clearly riding the best I have ever seen him on a bike.  He was faster than I thought I’d ever see him ride.

Last night was another race.  As the third race of the season, it was the second that he attended (we missed the fist due to another race at High Point Raceway). It was another chance to see what he could do in the higher level race class.

I couldn’t have been prouder as a watching dad. He easily won the fist moto, and though a bad start began the second, he worked hard and worked through the pack, setting up the most beautiful pass I’ve ever seen him make to take the lead and win the moto.  

We were bouncing off the walls.

I’ve told you this whole story to tell you this. Brad would have never raced like he did last night without taking the step of courage and entering a more competitive class.  The steeper competition and raised bar of the B class “forced” him to push harder, dig deeper, and ride faster.

It applies to us as well as Christians.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Today I want to challenge us as believers.  God never intended for you to be a C class racer your whole life.  Though it is where we all have to start, God doesn't want you staying there. The next phase of your life might be scary or intimidating, but once entering it, your game will be elevated.  Stepping up to the next challenge in life will purge your faith, refine it, and make it more secure.  It isn’t fun when we take that first step.  But assuredly, (and almost instantly), the level of maturity, faith, patience, and depth will increase dramatically, making us more “Christ like.”  Staying in C class won’t do anything for you.  It won’t do you any favors staying in a complacent place of safety and comfort.  It won’t do anybody any good in your circle of influence either.

            Rise to the challenge.  Dig deeper with grit and tenacity.  Fight the good fight.

            You will open some eyes when you do.

By Chuck Carr