Sundays at the Trackಮಾದರಿ

It took Michael McDowell 358 starts to win his first NASCAR Cup Series race—the 2021 Daytona 500. For him, the victory wasn’t personal glory—it was a display of God’s faithfulness. “God did it,” he said. “I didn’t do anything.”

James 1:2–3 describes his journey. Michael’s career was full of setbacks and underfunded teams, yet he never gave up. He believed God was working, even when results didn’t show it. That faith, refined in trials, produced perseverance.

Michael’s integrity also stands out. He turned down sponsorships that clashed with his values—even at a financial loss. He chose obedience over opportunity, and God honored it.

Off the track, Michael and his wife Jami live out their faith through adoption. Alongside their four biological children, they adopted a little boy from China—a process that took seven years. That journey meant more to him than any checkered flag.

Michael’s favorite verse, Lamentations 3:25, reminds him: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him.” Whether waiting, winning, or sacrificing, he leads by example—always pointing to Christ.

Reflection:
James 1:2–3 teaches that trials produce perseverance. Michael’s long road to victory shows that faithfulness matters more than results. His integrity and obedience reflect a life shaped by trust in God’s timing.

Questions to Reflect On:

• How has God used trials in your life to grow your faith?
• What does it look like to lead by example in your current season?