What does God think of us racing cars and motorcycles?

While there are not a lot of references in the Bible to hobbies, it does give us some guidelines. If you're going to take part in an activity, use it as a way to witness and to get the Word out to everyone.

1Co 10:31  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.

Use it as an opportunity to get his name out there. Put decals on your car from RFC, ICRA, and other organizations in Christian Links. Some guys have decals all over their car trying to win contingency prizes. Don't forget the contingency prizes Christ offers... Christian racing magazines have lots of stories of drivers who's careers took off after they turned it all over to Him.

You can put your favorite website (I know it's gotta be www.or4c.com!!!) lettering across the top of your windshield. That's a great place to advertise something you really believe in. Some cars have websites across the back bumper.

What T-shirt do you wear? Do you have a signature on your email? Does the track have someone there to open the program in prayer? Every week? You might be able to fill in.

Online racers, many series trade cars. Other drivers enjoy looking at the different cars other drivers have painted. There are Christian online series out there, they can be a great place to get to know other Christian racers. How you talk in chat rooms and email is constantly watched by others.

Now I'm not saying that someone is going to get saved from a bumper sticker. But, that person might realize that not all Christians wear three piece suits and go door to door, "cool" people can be Christians and Christians can be cool. Some see some religious people going door to door or standing at intersections yelling at cars and they don't want to do that. They need to see that God made everyone different with different talents so He can use us in different ways, and we don't have to change who we are to be a Christian.

And most importantly, if you don't race for a living, remember to prioritize. God, family, career, those come first.

How should we race?

Some believe that as Christians, we should not be aggressive. We should be "kinder, gentler" racers.

1Co 9:24 You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win!

That is one example of the Bible telling us that if you are going to do something, do it right, this one has a little racing twist.

Some people think that "overly" aggressive driving is a sin. They look at a Christian driver who gets busted in tech or lays a bumper or a fender to someone and scream "hypocrite!!!"

Rom 13:1 Every person must be subject to the governing authorities.

In the case of a technical inspection, going against the rules trying to get an advantage is a sin. if you go to a different track try to get the rules and make sure you don't look silly in tech with Jesus stickers all over your car. Having something that is not covered in the rules is a gray area, was it intentional?

Looking at a driving infraction, every rule book I have seen leaves the decision up to the discretion of the officials. If the officials are penalizing drivers who "move someone up a groove" and you do it, it's wrong, whether you get busted or not. If the officials are allowing it within reason, it's going to be tough to win by being a wimp. Stay within the rules and run to win.

And remember one thing, you might get through tech, you might get past the officials, but nothing gets past God. He doesn't need instant replay videos to know you screwed up. Whether you drag race, oval track, online, motorcycle, whatever flavor you enjoy, hopefully this little topic will be of some help.

Who does God want to win?

You see people pray for victory, and hear non Christians say that "If God were real, that Jesus freak would never lose a race." But looking at is as a parent, (and God refers to himself as our Father), I don't think it matters to Him who wins a contest. I remember watching the Indy 500 years ago when Bobby and Al Unser Sr were racing. They were sponsored by different tire companies. Their dad wore a jacket that was half Goodyear and half Firestone, cut down the middle and sewed together. It said Goodstone on the back. They joked that mom's said Fireyear.

God sometimes uses a race in conducting His will, but otherwise everyone are His children and no matter whether He's upset with one or happy with the other, He doesn't play favorites. Or loses.

Ecc 9:11  Here is something else I have learned: The fastest runners and the greatest heroes don't always win races and battles. Wisdom, intelligence, and skill don't always make you healthy, rich, or popular. We each have our share of bad luck.