How Determined Are You?

Even though my passion for watching NASCAR has been circumvented by other priorities this racing season, I’ve been trying to watch the last ten races leading up to the Championship. Yesterday’s event had me focused on one driver … and not one I usually watch.

Denny Hamlin

Going into the race he was fourth in the Championship points … and he had a great car. Winning was his goal. He started in the back of the field … passing cars every lap … until he had reached the top ten. Yet when he drove to the pits for tires and fuel, he went too fast down pit road.

That meant he was given a drive-through penalty. While the race was still happening he had to drive through pit road at pit road speed, which placed him at the back of the field again.

Once more he aggressively maneuvered through the cars … finally securing a spot near the front. But all cars periodically require new tires and fuel. When he pitted, he drove too fast … again.

Once more he received a drive-through penalty. Once more he was making his way through the field … headed toward the front. With 100 laps remaining in the race, Denny had positioned himself in third place. Suddenly he slowed … cars flying past him. An electrical problem had caused him to have no power.

While the race continued, his pit crew frantically worked on his car … and once again he returned to the track. But NASCAR has rules about how fast you must go to be able to race. He was traveling too slowly … was black-flagged … and removed his car from competition.

With only three races left, he has dropped to fifth in the Championship points.

As I watched the race, my thoughts turned to the race I’m in … with the goal of Heaven. Just how determined am I to reach that prize? I’ve been given some big time penalties by life … been black-flagged by my previous choice of church denomination … and have had to work my way through a lot of obstacles.

But … unlike Denny … I have a Power Source that will never fail.

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power …” Psalm 147:5 (NIV)