LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES

This was a famous saying ushered in after World War II when the racetracks opened after the war. 

With this saying came the understanding that there were cars lined up ready for the race. 

Once the engines started and reved up, the next step occurred.  Either the light would turn green to go or a gun would fire into the air.  Each racer would put their car into gear and head for the finish line. 

Now, prior to entering the race each person needed to know what they were racing for and where the finish line was.  

In our Christian walk, we are the same.  Our main purpose is to reach souls for Jesus Christ until we reach the finish line and hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:23.

Yet, many of us are just spinning our whells at the starting line because we never moved the gear from neutral into drive.  

Shown below is why I say what I do.  

Erin was training to be a perimetic so she could make runs in the ambulance and save lives.  As she began to train, she had wounded people who she was trying to save their lives assault her, spit on her, scream at her, and she was exposed to life-threatening diseases and contaminated blood.  

When she joined the team and the first person assaulted her, she didn't go sit in the front of the ambulance and refuse to never move past that point again  She got right back up and went out to save more lives because people are precious and important. 

The average Christian never makes it out the gate to be wounded by others and if they have most of them retreated to the pew in the sanctuary of the church and have never moved past it to join those out in the world taking the hits, slander, attacks in order to save lives. 

In 1995, Steve and I did one of the hardest things.  There were twin girls needing a home.  We already had three children living in a very small house.  My baby sister used to say often, "People are more important than things."  Therefore, giving up some things we took those two teenage girls into our home and raised them.  

Why would we do such a crazy thing when we barely had the money or room for our own family?  It was because of our passion and drive to show others; lives matter.  At times, I was screamed at, lied to, and yes, even slapped by one of the girls.  I was called some extremely horrible names, but we never asked either of them to leave our house, because their lives mattered to us. 

I can tell you story after story of wounds received while being a pastor's wife and yet when it comes down to the time I think I should throw the towel in and say, "I am done."  I can hear my baby sister say, "People are more important than things."

When I hear those words, I have to say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines. The race has only just begun and we are in it for the good times and the bad times, if that is what it takes to save lives.  

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2