What’s at the Finish Line?

READY

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” – Romans 3:23 (NLT)

SET

All races have standards. They keep things competitive, fair, and in the power sports world, more affordable. We know that if we show up with a machine that doesn’t meet the standards laid out by the sanctioning body, we don’t get to compete. When we see people going outside of the standards and regulations of our sport, we want to do what every athlete wants to do -- protest. At a glance, these standards are a bummer, but when we take a deeper dive, they are what keep our racing in working order.

God is no different when it comes to His glorious standards. He sets a standard and lays out the regulations for knowing Him and being in a relationship with Him. Some of these standards seem like they’re unattainable, but when we take a closer look, we understand that they keep our hearts, our minds -- and even our world -- in working order.

God despises sin. Why? Because it is against everything He has created; it's against His standard. God created a world that was perfect, and when sin entered the picture, it wreaked havoc on the good God created. Sin takes what God has created for good, life, and justice -- and transforms it into chaos, evil and death. So, God created a standard: He will not participate in people's lives who choose sin over life. If we choose sin, we are disqualified from being in a relationship with God.

The problem is, we have all sinned. We have all been disqualified in one way or another. So does that mean we can never have a relationship with God? Not at all.

As competitors in power sports, we will do whatever it takes to compete. If there is a way to get it done, whether you are a mechanic, crew chief, or pilot, most of us will go above and beyond to finish our race. So what lengths do we have to go to in order to remain within the standard God has created?

Prepare yourself; it’s pretty simple. We only have to ask God into our hearts, ask him to forgive our sins, and believe that His promise of eternal peace through His Son Jesus is true. God has made it easy for us, no matter the sin, to have a relationship with Him.

So, competitor, knowing this, how will you finish your race? With or without God?

GO

• How have the standards in your racing created a fair and competitive environment?
• How do God’s standards create order and justice if we follow them today?
• Do you believe God when He says that we are saved from eternal pain and misery by His Son, Jesus?

WORKOUT

Genesis 1:31; Romans 5:15-17

OVERTIME

“Father, I am grateful that You are concerned enough about us to create standards that bring about good, order and justice. I realize that I have not been able to keep those standards and I am sorry. I want to see Your purposes of good brought about in this world and I need Your help to be able to be a small part of this. You are a good Father, so let my life reflect Your purpose today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”

Trey Canard raced professional motocross for 10 years and has been involved with FCA Motocross since 2011. In 2010, Canard won the Motocross Des Nations with team USA. He earned a 250 Outdoor National Championship, 250 Supercross Championship, and several 450 SX wins. Having finished his racing career in 2017, Trey now works as a test rider for American Honda. Trey, his wife, Hannah, and their son, August, live in Oklahoma.