Running Life's Race on God's TeamSample

Jesus is our Spotter

In many racing series, such as NASCAR and IndyCar, drivers race with eyes in the sky. These are their spotters, and they help drivers see what they cannot see on the track. They are essential for the safety and success of the drivers. Without them, they are not in clear view of cars around them or crashes ahead or behind. Spotters help prevent drivers from crashing, and they help them see the path ahead that can get them into the lead. They even help with strategy sometimes, discussing things with other drivers’ spotters to work together to get to the front. The driver follows the spotter in order that he might win the race. Without the spotter, the driver would have a very limited view of the track and other competitors, and could never win the race because he would almost always end up in a crash.

Jesus describes himself as a shepherd for the sheep, and in many ways, a shepherd in his time is like a spotter in racing today. The shepherd guided the sheep to pasture, which was often hard to find in the barren climate of Israel, just as victory is hard to find in racing. He protected the sheep from dangers, like wolves and lions, just as a spotter helps drivers avoid crashes.

Jesus is our spotter as we run life’s race on God’s team. In John 10, Jesus says that the thief, the devil, comes to steal and kill and destroy our lives, but that he has come so that we can have an abundant life. Sheep know their shepherd’s voice and follow it, but if they follow the thief’s voice, they lose their way. Likewise, if we listen to the thief’s voice instead of our shepherd, our lives will be a mess. However, if we listen to our shepherd, or spotter, we can have an abundant life and win the race that is life.

Who is your spotter in life? Whose voice are you listening to? Are you trying to guide your life by what you see on the news or social media? Is your family, job, the Internet, or the state of the world influencing how you see yourself, your purpose, or your activities? If anything is guiding you other than Jesus and your faith in him, you may be following a thief. You may be listening to the wrong radio, and your life’s race may be heading towards a crash instead of victory. To be guided to victory, you need Jesus as your spotter. Thankfully, he is willing and ready to be your guide today! Will you listen to his voice?