“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT)
When my son Eric was 7 years old he decided he wanted to race BMX (bicycle motocross). We had never seen a race, and knew absolutely nothing about this sport. We found a nearby track, loaded up his bike and off we went. When we got to the track it was open, and there were a couple of teens riding. We quickly asked them if anyone could ride and were thrilled when they told us to “go for it.” We asked them about what was needed to race, and after giving us some basic information they told us that we should show up on Tuesday at 7 to check out a race, and that if we were serious about getting started we should go to Freewheeler and talk to Gordy.
We didn’t wait for Tuesday night. We headed right over to see Gordy. When we got in the bike shop we saw row after row of BMX bikes. We started checking out bikes similar to what the teens at the track were riding (we had no clue that there were different BMX bikes for different size riders).. Gordy came over to us and asked if we were looking at bikes for recreation or racing. When we said racing he immediately asked my son how much he weighed and then told us to look around while he went out back. He soon reappeared with a bike with the skinniest tires I had ever seen on a dirt bike. The handle bars were half the size of the bikes we were looking at. And the seat looked way too small to sit on. The bike had no reflectors, no chain guard, no kick stand, nothing. Honestly this bike looked like it had been mugged and then shrunk in the dryer. After giving me my first lesson in the science of selecting the proper BMX bike for my soon to be racer, Gordy told me he could give me a good price because it was an 8 year old used bike. The price was twice what the bikes I had been browsing cost. All I could think was, “How am I going to explain to Melody that I paid twice as much as I expected for half the bike (not to mention that it was used).” However, I took a step of faith and bought the bike. On Tuesday I signed up Eric to race, and we had many great years travelling all over the United States racing BMX and making memories that will last a lifetime.
In case you are wondering why I share our BMX beginnings, its because in life, just like in BMX, if you want to win you need to understand what it will take..
First, you need to go to the One who has the know how.
Second, you need to be willing to leave behind your preconceived ideas and follow the instruction given.
Third, you need the right equipment.
Fourth, you must be willing to pay the price.
And remember Eric’s Life Lesson # 2: “Less is definitely more!”