Chaplain's Corner!

The key to going fast is a rotation of practice, testing and timing. You will get the most out of a day's work this way. Your limitations toward fast time will be equipment and driving ability. Put a pro in your kart and his or her times will tell you how you're driving. A pro's wisdom also helps you in regard to your set up and equipment.

Our driving ability will not only improve with practice, but a good coach would help a lot. In Jeff Gordon's book "My Memoir", he talks about his stepdad John taking him to the track during the week to practice. Jeff was five years old when he started in quarter-midgets and later moved to karts. Jeff would practice for hours while John would time him. John would ask Jeff, "Was that lap better, worse, or the same as the one before?" Jeff said, "Better", but John said, "No, Jeff, it might have felt better, but you were three-tenths of a second slower." John has said in recent years about Jeff's early talent that he showed none. He said, "I've always believed that a lot of people wait to see potential in a kid rather than developing a potential." John did see in Jeff good reaction time, coordination, and an innate ability to concentrate. He also listened. Jeff, in his book, talks about learning to hit the marks - braking or turning at the right time and place. My daughter often amazes me in her consistency. Is she at her full potential? I would say, "No", but she is hitting her marks - they just need to be improved. For me, all this talk about practice, testing and timing encourages me to get to the track and maybe this 60-year old can reach a new level.

Once we have reached our driving potential, we can start working on our equipment. Change, change, change and test and time! This is all fun because racing is our hobby. As far as our walk with the Lord, that can be fun, but it's much more than a hobby - it's a challenging way of life.

Living the Christian life doesn't require a particular place or time such as going to the track. In Psalm 118:24 it says, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Each new day the Lord gives us is a practice day, and growth will occur if we focus on Jesus. Each day will bring its own trouble - temptations and opportunities to be a witness for Him (Matt. 6:34.) The Bible is our coach, the Holy Spirit is our power, and with them working in our lives, our potential for hitting the marks is great. One of the truths to living the Christian life is this: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) What a wonderful challenge lay before those who accept His love.

Chaplain Ken