The Sponsorship

READY

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’ So God created human beings in his own image.” -- Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT)

SET

It was only the hand of God that combined my love of motocross and the good news of Jesus Christ into one meeting place. I grew up riding a Honda XR80, but only around the house. Now as I enter my ninth year of being involved with motocross and FCA, I am proud of my connection to this ministry! So proud that I have two motocross jerseys hanging in my office. One belongs to Ronnie Faisst, a retired freestyle rider who rode in the X Games many times. The other belongs to Trey Canard; it was the jersey he wore during his final season racing when he claimed the East Coast Supercross 250 Championship and the 250 Motocross Championship. Both of these guys were amazing professional athletes. While I cherish these athletes, I have learned my admiration for them shouldn’t and can’t compare to the love and respect I am called to have for Jesus Christ.

The other day, my daughter was supposed to wear a jersey of some sort to church on Wednesday night but forgot. I took Trey’s jersey down and told her to wear it proudly; it was worn by a great racer. So she walked around that night with her head held a little higher because she bore the image of a successful professional athlete. What she had to learn was that even with Trey’s name on her back, as a Christ-follower, she is always repping God. It’s as if she is wearing His holy jersey.

We are created to bear His image. The Creator of the universe, who created you and everything in it, chose you to bear His image. That tops any signed jersey from any athlete.

When God created you, He said, “It is very good” (Genesis 1:31). This is a great indicator of how God feels about you. God loves you! He not only created you, but He loves you and calls you his “masterpiece.”

Paul says it this way: "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10).

How cool is it to know that you are fortunate enough to be called a masterpiece by the God who created everyone and everything? It’s based solely on His love for you. And this love has nothing to do with what you do or how you act, but who you are as God’s beloved child.

The next time you gear up for a race, remember that you may have sponsors listed on your jersey, and your last name may be on your back, but beyond all of that, you are God’s masterpiece created in eternal love!

GO

• How can you bear the image of God while competing? In everyday life?
• How does it feel to know that God considers you His masterpiece?

WORKOUT

Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 139:1-24

OVERTIME

“Lord, every day I am bearing an image. I want to bear Your image, but it can be difficult. Help me to remember that I am Your masterpiece and no person or circumstance can ever take that away. Help me to bear Your image today and every day! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Hayes Howell serves as Executive Pastor at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In the way only God can do, Hayes connected with FCA Motorsports in 2014 as a Camp preacher and has been involved ever since.