I have followed NASCAR for a few years. This year for the first time I have followed it on SIRIUS “NASCAR Radio.” Through interviews on NASCAR Radio there have been a couple of terms that have caught my attention early on this year. These two terms are, “No DNF’s” and “Seat Time.” I heard Bobby Labonte being interviewed and they ask him, “what his expectations were for the year?” He said, “to win a race or two and finish the year with no DNF’s.” They were talking about Trevor Bayne the rookie who became the youngest driver at 20 to ever win the Daytona 500, and this is what they said, ” he is a great kid and a tremendous driver, but for him there will be no substitute for seat time.”
Let me explain and elaborate a little on each of these topics that I feel relate to our lives both spiritually, and physically. You see in NASCAR a DNF means, “Did Not Finish.” There are too many that are giving up to quick. There are too many of us that are quitting way too soon. Maybe it’s time to say, “I am not giving up on that dream”, “I am not quitting on this marriage”, “I wont stop believing for that miracle or that loved one’s salvation.” It may be that now is the time to say, “no more DNF’s for me I will finish, and I will learn, and I will win.”
NASCAR shows us there is a difference in losing a race, and not finishing the race at all. It’s not a matter of winning every race. It’s not a matter of conquering every battle. It’s not a matter of being victorious in every conflict. It’s a matter of finishing the race. In NASCAR I have seen cars come back onto the track with fenders missing and duct tape holding the nose of the car on; and I used to think, “what’s the use?” But now I realize it’s not always about winning, sometimes it’s about finishing… say it with me, “NO MORE DNF’s!”
By staying in the race they show there fans and teammates we are in this to race and finish. They also gain experience, earn points in the series and increase their winnings for the race. There is no substitute for staying in the race. The Bible says it this way, “having done all stand”, and it also says, “don’t grow weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap.” Remember, “failure is not final unless you quit.” And know this, ‘you haven’t failed if you haven’t quit.” Say it with me one more time, “NO MORE DNF’s!”
Now what about “seat time?” Seat time just means there is no substitute for experience. There is no substitute for just staying in there and doing what it is you have to do to learn and finish. Someone said, “we either learn by example or experience.” Now we all know learning by example is way easier but we also know learning through experience, although more painful has more lasting results. Sometimes it’s not the victories that teach us, but the losses. It may be the thing you despise the greatest is the very thing God is using to develop you. There is no substitute for living life and experiencing the things God has put in our path to encounter…. It’s time to stay in the seat and finish the race.
We must realize that Jesus finished well. Did everything go good all the time? Did everyone like Him? Was He always accepted and understood? No. But did He finish? Yes. He was our example and He told us, “be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.”Jesus finished, so we could. He is our victory. The Bible says, “we are MORE than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us.” Stay in the seat and finish the race it will be worth it! Paul said it this way, “I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for Him to come again.” Notice Paul didn’t say, “I won the race.” He said, “I finished the race and I kept the faith.”
Here are some things to think about when it comes to “Finishing”:
> If the prize is greater than the pain than focus on the prize.
- Figure out what is stopping you and fix it.
- Recognize what you are willing to tolerate and realize God rewards the relentless.
- Realize God doesn’t just want to give you strength He wants to be your strength.
- Remember “the weight of the world” is not greater than God’s strength.
