Start Your engines! We're dropping the Green Flag! We're preparing for the contest. We want to go the distance into the challenge God has set before us.

I was pleased when I heard about the exciting theme for our Capital Improvement and Annual Stewardship Campaign. We may not all be into NASCAR and auto racing, but it sounded like a fast moving idea that had the potential for stirring enthusiasm. One of the fun things we decided to do early on was to have a family movie night showing the Disney Movie, "Cars." That is scheduled for 6:00 next Sunday evening. October 14, right here. Please invite family and friends to join us.

Even though I liked the theme, early on I knew that I would not have much Biblical text to draw on that specifically dealt with auto racing. We do find several references to foot racing in Scripture and the mention of chariot racing in the streets.

So, how do we start our engines? Let's think first about preparing build blocks for the race .

I. Preparing Building Blocks for the Race

A starting line essential here is to get the facts. Suppose we were planning to be in a chariot race. Where might we begin? To start the engine for a chariot we need to realize it is not mechanical, but most likely a horse. We would want a good horse that could run when attached to a chariot. The next building block for the chariot race would be to get a chariot, preferably one that would maneuver well. Then we would need a chariot driver. Can you imagine what it might be like to handle a chariot? The scriptures don't give us a detailed plan for the chariot race.

We find a few more references to foot racing in the Bible. For a foot race mapping out the track may not be quite as involved as for NASCAR, but a track still needs to be planned. For a long time some of our church leaders have been mapping out the course to prepare for our campaign. They were busy getting the facts.

II. Preparing the Body of Christ

Another step is preparing the body of Christ by sharing the facts and getting people informed. This is why announcements have been made, information has been printed and given to you and you were invited to a small group meeting. It has been marvelous to see the commitment of many people to make all of this happen for us. At times it could make our heads spin like we were rounding a track in a race preparing the body of Christ.

In the letter to the Hebrews we read, "Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." While a race car driver would want to be alert and in good condition he or she would also want to make sure that the car is running well. The foot racer also needs to prepare his or her body to compete in a race. Track stars train their bodies over a period of time before the race. We might compare preparing for the foot races referred to in the Scriptures with athletes preparing for the Olympics. Without this preparation the racers would probably not be able to persevere.

III. Preparing our Bodies, Minds and Spirits

To be adequately prepared to run a race not just our bodies, but our bodies, minds, and spirits need to be prepared. While the physical conditioning is necessary, so is the conditioning of our minds and spirits. To do well, our attitude, our drive, our sense of purpose, our enthusiasm is vitally important. If my heart is not in what I am working on it is likely that I will not do my best. That is pretty simple.

This morning we are missing a few people that have worked hard on this campaign because a young lady from our congregation is running in a marathon. Some of you may know that Mindy has run in marathons before so she keeps in good physical condition. However, for this marathon Mindy has been preparing her body, mind and spirit with extra training ad conditioning. We will have a report from her in worship next week.

To persevere in a race or accomplish whatever God sets before us we are to look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. We need to have our hearts in tune with God's heart. I believe our church leaders have been looking to Jesus each step along the way as we have embarked on our Capital Campaign and in the various ministries of our church. I hope that we will always seek God's direction each day, not only when we are working on a special campaign.

As I work with the Campaign leadership team to ask you to prayerfully consider your commitment to your church for the coming year and your commitment to the Capital Campaign over the next three years we are not trying to tell you what to do. Having been presented with the facts we are asking you to look to Jesus, to prayerfully seek God's direction in these commitments. Have you asked God about what you should give?

The men and women on your leadership team have been preparing their bodies, minds and spirit and have already done what we are asking you to prepare to do when you come to worship on October 21.

So, if you have not yet done so, start your engines! We're dropping the Green Flag! We're preparing for the contest. We want to go the distance into the challenge God has set before us. Let's get our hearts in tune with God's heart.

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