Faith on the Frontstretch: More than “just another driver”

Credit: Beth Bence Reinke for Skirts and Scuffs  

“... And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b

What if someone pointed to the driver in the blue Miller Lite firesuit and asked you, “Who is that?” You could say, “That’s Brad Keselowski,” or “That’s the 2012 Sprint Cup Champion.” You’d be right either way. You could even say, “That’s Brian Keselowski’s brother,” and still be correct.

Although there are lots of appropriate ways to describe him, saying any champion is “just another driver” is not one of them.

In a similar, but more extraordinary way, Jesus was not “just another prophet.” He wasn’t just another teacher or just another religious leader, either. Nope. Sometimes people pigeonhole Jesus with these smallish, compartmentalized terms. But Jesus is so much more than “just another” anything.

During the Christmas season, we celebrate Jesus humbling himself to be born as a little baby on earth. Any ordinary conception and birth is a miracle, but with baby Jesus, it’s a deeper, more beautiful mystery. The King of Kings allowing Himself to become a frail human - a baby - doesn’t seem to make sense.

But something we rarely think about is that Jesus existed way before He came to earth as a baby in a stable. That fact is hard for our human brains to fathom, and we probably won’t grasp it completely on this side of heaven. But Jesus was present when God created the earth. He is the second part of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He has always existed. He’s eternal, backwards and forwards, from this point in time.

Trying to think it through logically perplexes the brain, perhaps because it wasn’t meant to be understood with the intellect. In your mind’s eye, imagine baby Jesus in the straw-filled manger. Think of Jesus teaching the crowds and performing miracles. Then visualize Jesus on the cross and Jesus in heaven at God’s right hand. Can you picture Him in those settings? Each of those tells part of who Jesus is. They are images of the heart, discerned through faith, not logic.

So ... this Christmas, what if someone pointed to baby Jesus in the manger and asked you, “Who is that?” You might say, “That’s baby Jesus,” or “That’s Jesus – Christmas is His birthday.” Very true.

But look deeper. Who do you really believe Jesus Christ is? Who is He to you? Is He your Lord and Savior? Is He your closest friend? That’s who He wants to be for you ... this Christmas and for the rest of your life.

Please don’t wait. Call out to Him. None of us knows how many tomorrows are left. Jesus is listening for your voice right now.

... the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ~ 1 John 4:14
----------------------------------------

Want more racing devotions? When you donate $25 to Skirts and Scuffs, we’ll send you a complimentary copy of Beth’s book, Race Fans’ Devotions to Go, a month-long, pocket-sized devotional book for female racing fans.


“Faith on the Frontstretch” appears every 1st & 3rd Wednesday and explores the role of faith in motorsports. Comments or twitter follows welcome: @bbreinke. See you on the Frontstretch!