Me on the track in the Lambo Gallardo 550 hp
Speed’s Way
My love for speed came early—at my age of 8, Dad got his 55 Ford Fairlane 500 V8 up to 120 in the Nevada desert, kept it between 105 and 115, and it hooked me. I’ve driven fast, a lot, and had driven several nice cars, even a race bred Lotus Elan. When living in the mountains above Taos with a full-sized Ford van, only a Z passed me.
But the Lamborghini at Exotics Racing transcended my experiences, so I listened to the pre-ride briefing and to the onboard instructor Megan about the strengths and quirks of the Gallardo. It can stall off the line. The brakes caught unexpectedly quick. Her advice on accelerating, braking, and cornering were new.
Accelerate until the two cones near the start of the turn, then brake. At the single green cone quit braking, hit the gas some, and turn toward the apex as straight as possible. Then gently accelerate until the next green cone, point it straight, then floor it. I tried. But consistently, I took my foot off the gas and turned in too soon. That worked well with my earlier vehicles, but not the Gallardo. And once exiting the turn I hit the gas too hard, and the rear tires broke free some. Fun, but it slows you down.
Megan shouted “Not yet!” when I started to coast, “Not yet!” as I turned in too soon, and “Now!” as we exited. Finally, her words overcame my previous habits. I screamed around the corners, tires screeching, shot like a rocket out of the turn passing another Lambo, and hit 112 on the short straight. I learned I could trust what Megan said.
God’s Way
When following Jesus, many of us handle life’s twists similarly. Too soon. Too late. Too slow. Too fast. We have our habits, ones that used to work. We have a culture that we grew up in and desire to fit into. We have family, with their teachings and expectations. We have our desires, wanting to live our lives as we want, when and how. But we miss the best from God. Our speed sometimes causes us to lose our spiritual grip. Why? We don’t fully trust our instructor.
Paul battled that same tendency, “I have discovered this principle of life — that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong” (Romans 7:21, NLT). Sound like my early laps? But he gave the key not much later, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NLT).
Why trust him? He made us and best knows how life functions. A simple verse with huge implications, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
Our Way
Brutally think about your life. How much do you trust that God truly knows best? Don’t focus on what you know should be true, but what would your actions reveal? When you don’t follow him, what primary reasons do you have? In practical terms, what can you do to develop more trust in God as your instructor in racing through life?