Running the Race with Our Eyes on Jesus (and the Indy 500)

We were blessed in worship on Sunday as both our choir and orchestra led us in worship, and each presented special music. The choir and orchestra opened our service with the song “Christ Is Risen, He’s Risen Indeed!”. It is a high-energy number, and from the reaction, it was obviously appreciated. Our orchestra also presented the song, “I Speak Jesus”. It is a song I hear often on the radio, and I was so pleased that it was a part of our worship. Part of the orchestra is on the right part of the stage and the others on the left. In the picture, those on the left are shown in the small box in the left corner. 

 The choir and orchestra will soon begin their summer break. I always miss them during this time off. They will be back with us at the end of July or the first of August.

I’m looking forward to it. 

Connie and I are from Indiana. Now, the month of May means something quite different in the Hoosier state than it does down here. In May in Florida, we are beginning to experience the humidity that is a part of Florida’s summers. And, of course, May is also part of the lovebug season. In Indiana, in May, farmers are planting, schools are closing, and if your town has a pool, it is probably opening. Of course, we have the Indianapolis 500 at the end of the month. When I moved here, I quickly discovered no one cares much about the Indy 500, at least as Hoosiers do. The first May I spent here, it was almost impossible to find anything about what was going on at the Speedway. On the plus side, local television stations in Indianapolis are only allowed to carry the race live if it is a sellout. Down here, we get to see it live every year. 

A couple of weeks ago, we watched the race: 33 cars and drivers chasing each other around a 2.5-mile oval for 500 miles. There is always some drama taking place. It might be a spin out, a car hitting the wall, or stalling in the pits. This year, there was a fire in the pits, and one of the drivers accidentally ran into part of his pit crew. (No one was injured) But this year, the drama came at the end when 5 cars were in contention, and all were wondering if they had enough fuel to finish the race. As it turned out, all five made it to the finish line. 33 cars started the race, but there was only one winner. 

The finish line at the Indy track is a yard-wide strip of bricks, reminiscent of the track years ago when it was paved with bricks. As the leader of the race rounds the last turn, his eyes are fixed on that yard of bricks. 

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” – Hebrews 12:1-2  

As we run this race we call life, we must get rid of anything that would impede our progress, we must run with endurance, and most of all, we must “keep our eyes on the prize”. That prize is Jesus. If we do those things at the end of life, we will find ourselves across the yard of bricks and in the winner circle, having won the race.