Minutes with the Master Racer

March Madness

My 9 year old granddaughter

My nine year old daughter rode 115 miles an hour as a passenger on Orlando's Richard Petty Speedway.  I had done the same thing on my 70th birthday, only I got to drive alone. It was

an exciting experience and one that will never be forgotten.  There was one more participant 

on the racetrack that was key to my success.  It was a pace car.  I felt all the power of independence and, yet, my success depended totally on the pace car.  I was told to do what the pace car did.  When it went up, I did.  When he went down, I did.  He flashed green lights on his bumper that meant I 

was doing fine and to keep going.  However, when my three laps were over, he flashed his 

yellow lights which meant slow down and go into the pit area.  Some of my friends asked me 

why I was not afraid, and suddenly I thought about that question.  I had never driven a race car

or any other car 125 miles per hour alone and certainly not a stick shift.  I felt confident in some-

thing that I had never done before, and why?  God called me into the office and said, "Bring your 

paper and pen.  I want you to record the minutes of this meeting."  I knew the routine.

God spoke, "Do you realize why you were not afraid? It was because you had a lead car.  That is 

how it is with us, Martha.  I am your pace car.  I go before you and make the "turns" in life 

straight.  When you are weaving in and out of life's traffic, I show you the way.  Not that you

are a robot.  You really drive your own car, but I am the still, small voice, just like the pit crew's

radio in your ear, saying 'Time to come in and get a refill of fuel.  Time to rest.  Time to trade your 

tired, human ways in for new tread that grips and digs in around the turns of life.'  There are other 

crew radios trying to communicate.  Do not listen to those voices.  Listen to Me.  You know my voice.  Sheep know the sound of their shepherd.  You know the sound of your pit chief.  Some-

time you do not want to do what I say.  I say, 'come in' and you say, 'I don't want to!  I can go

another lap.' However, if you do not want to crash, you will obey.  Remember, if you are tired 

you can always just come closer to my pace car and just catch a draft from my lead, and you can rest while I blaze a trail for you to follow.  You see, the battle is not yours; it is mine.  I will lead you to 

front of the race.  You will be able to finish well.  Then when the checkered flag comes out, and you finish your last lap, I will hand you the trophy and say, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. 

you I am well pleased.  Come into the winner's circle.  Listen to the cheers. You ran a good race. You finished the course.''

I gathered up my papers and walked back into the world.  I found my friend and pulled her aside. I said, "Do you remember when you asked why I was not afraid during the race? Well, I know why. God was in the number 1 poll position, and He led me the whole way.