234 MPH

Word from Wiese

29 May 2024

234 miles per hour.

Did Scott McLaughlin take Dramamine before he sped his very yellow Chevy Indy car to set a record four-lap average speed of 234.22 mph at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? O my gosh!

If the Christ Our Shepherd traditional sanctuary is roughly 50 yards wide (half a football field), Scott’s Indy car would take HALF a second to speed across. Such velocity earned him the pole (best) position as the field of 33 cars raced the 108^th Indy 500 race on Sunday.

(My ears are still ringing from the cars’ roar when my friends and I witnessed Indy time-trials two decades ago. And my church friends and I were a lot slower than Scott when we got to run the track as part of a half-marathon we ran in Indianapolis!)

Regarding the Indy 500’s nature, a very hilarious and memorable commentary was provided by Aerosmith’s front man, Steven Tyler, right before singing the national anthem at our nation’s signature auto race: “It’s very appropriate that I sing at this event. Because I, too, for most of my life have been racing at 200 mph but going in circles.” Ha!

One could argue, Jesus raced quickly throughout his ministry. Only three years to complete his mission and leave a loving legacy that endures for millennia.

“I must GO to other towns to announce the good news there too.” Luke 4.43
“I GO to prepare a place for you.” John 14.3
I “must GO to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 16.21
“GO make disciples.” Matt 28.20

While Jesus might not have moved at 234 mph, our Lord moved swiftly, unfolding God’s kingdom at every turn. But please remember: like championship Indy drivers, Jesus knew the value of a pitstop.

On overage, Indy 500 contenders make 6 or 7 pitstops throughout the course of the race. New tires, more fuel, tweak any necessary adjustments. Car and driver both benefit immensely from the essential energizing provided by interacting with their crew and team. Christians are the same. In order to perform well throughout the week, every 7 days the Great Mechanic and Team Lead instructs us to make a pitstop with other Christians at worship to refuel and tune up. Like Indy cars, we simply can’t finish the race without such connections with the Lord’s crew and become more susceptible to crashes and blow outs.

But don’t the pitstops cost us valuable time?

As Steven Tyler indicates, it’s fun sometimes when we feel like we’re flying at over 200 mph. But if we’re just going in circles, the speed doesn’t matter that much. We want our life race to count. We want to ensure we’re headed somewhere worthy. We want to finish the right race and enjoy racing with people we can love and love us. We don’t want to flame out. Apparently, that’s why Jesus, every 7 days, no matter how fast his agenda was unfolding, stopped and went to worship. (“As was his custom, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.” Luke 4.16)

So, I hope you enjoy a summer full of wonderful opportunities. Enjoy the race. Journeying and serving with purpose and pace, as Jesus did, is thrilling. But for Jesus, taking a pitstop with purpose (worship), for Jesus, is essential to a successful race. For Jesus and us too.

So, see you out on the race track. And see you in worship too.

In Christ’s hope,

P Fritz

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40.31

Questions for Reflection:

If your life was a race car, how what speed does your speedometer indicate? Are you moving below, at, or above the speed limit?
The verse from Isaiah indicates there will be times when all of us get depleted and need God’s refreshing energy. By waiting. What form does waiting take place in your life?
If Sunday worship is one form of “Pitstop with Purpose,” what are some others for you?
In Acts 1.4, Jesus instructs the disciples to go to Jerusalem to stop traveling and just WAIT for the promise of the Father. So, they had to wait for the Spirit’s Pentecost energy in order then GO and do ministry. How does that work for you?
This summer, where will you GO and when will you WAIT? How are both part of the journey?