While rummaging through the house the other day, I saw some pictures that reminded me when my dear, sweet wife went for a ride in an official NASCAR vehicle.
This happened over 10 years ago but it is something that we still talk about. One Christmas I gave Sherri as a gift a ride along pass for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. She had to wait eight months to redeem the pass but it turned out to be worth the wait.
Before Sherri could get in the car she had to fill out about 24 release of liability forms (or so it seemed). Then she was fitted with a helmet and before you could say, "Gentlemen, start your engines," Sherri and her driver, a guy named Mike, roared out of the pit area, making speeds up to 145 miles per hour. The kids and I loved it and at the end of four laps Sherri climbed out of the car weak-kneed and with a huge grin on her face.
As we drove back home after Sherri's great day at the track, it occured to me that, in a small way, her gift mirrored the great gift God has given to us. Sherri received her gift on Christmas day. For eight months she'd had that gift in her possession. Finally, on a Monday in August, Sherri enjoyed the gift.
In the same way, all who trust Jesus as Savior from sin and death have new life right now. John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. That is God's sure and certain promise that no one can take away. We will enjoy the gift in all its fullness when Jesus returns to gather His church on the Last Day. But we hold the gift now. The writer to the Hebrews wrote: For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
May we all rejoice in this precious gift of new life in Christ, whether we are working in our yard, laboring at our work, or flying around a race track at 145 mph!
