Last Saturday morning, I was channel surfing, searching for a good movie to watch. I somehow landed on the Motor Trend Network just before the start of the Le Mans Endurance race. The commentators were excited for this annual race to be back in full force. Over 150 drivers and at least eight teams of cars began the pre-race lap.
As the pace car went into the pit and the flag to mark the start of the race was waved, one car ran into the gravel boundary seconds into the race. It was alright because this was Le Mans. The race lasted 24 hours, with drivers maneuvering around the same track 380 times. There was time to recover from minor spinouts, cars bumping into one another, flat tires, and mechanical complications.
Over the rest of the day and into the night I continued to return to the race. I learned that there are several drivers on each team. When the cameras were focused on the pits, and because it was six hours later in France, there were many crew members and drivers trying to sleep where they could as they waited for the cars to make another pit stop.
This is the verse that kept playing in my head: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12)
Our journey with our Lord and Savior is about endurance. We are dedicated to making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are familiar with the road which is before us. As we begin to implement a new mission and ministry, we may discover that we don’t have enough resources or the people we want to reach aren’t the ones in need in our faith communities and neighborhoods. But that doesn’t stop us.
Sometimes, unforeseen events will affect how we engage with others. Due to extreme flooding in Montana, Yosemite Park has been closed. Gaylord, Michigan is still recovering and rebuilding from a recent tornado. We are still dealing with the Covid pandemic. The war in Ukraine continues. And we are feeling the strain of high gas prices and our first heat wave. But that doesn’t stop us.
We are not alone on our journey. Our Lord will not let us grow weary or lose heart. God is with us in all that we do and all that we seek to accomplish in His name. May we continue on this road, knowing that there will be pitfalls and struggles. May we continue on this road, realizing there will be unforeseen obstacles and hazards. May we continue on this road, knowing that we seek to answer God’s call upon our lives. May we continue on this road, knowing that we continue to transform those we serve and ourselves through the journey of mission and ministry. May we continue to be blessed. And Amen.