On Saturday, Estevan Motor Speedway held its Second Annual “Faster Pastor” race and I could not wait! I grew up going to stock car races and I go to the speedway here every chance I get. Carl and Blair Hanson had called me earlier in the week to tell me that I could drive their car and that was good news because I knew that their car was well built and fast. It was going to be a good day!
When it came time to race, though, there was a problem. Due to breakdowns in the previous races, there were more ministers than cars. As speedway officials ran around trying to round up enough rides, I heard something that made me stop and think.
One of the guys turned to the officials and said, “I got to drive last year and my friend here didn’t. If it comes down to us not having enough cars, I will sit out and let him drive instead”.
Now, let me make clear that this guy really enjoyed racing last year. In fact, he was probably as excited about trying it again as I was. Yet, instead of being wrapped up in what he wanted or in his own self-interest, he stepped back and said, “I am willing to sit out so that my friend can have this experience too”.
To be honest, that thought never crossed my mind. I was driving! I had a car, I was looking forward to racing, and everyone else, though I felt badly for them, was on their own. Maybe I would have given up my ride if I someone had asked me to, but I was not going to volunteer to do it.
Selflessness is not a common trait. The ability to think about the needs of others, to “put yourself in their shoes” and then to give up something for the sake of others is a learned quality. It is also a quality that I still need to learn something about.
Romans 12:10 says, “Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle” (From “The Message”).
I loved racing at the speedway. I am thankful for the generosity of Blair and Carl Hanson. I am glad that I did well.
However, I am not so sure that I really “won”. Something tells me that my friend who was willing to “play second fiddle” was the real winner.
When it came time to race, though, there was a problem. Due to breakdowns in the previous races, there were more ministers than cars. As speedway officials ran around trying to round up enough rides, I heard something that made me stop and think.
One of the guys turned to the officials and said, “I got to drive last year and my friend here didn’t. If it comes down to us not having enough cars, I will sit out and let him drive instead”.
Now, let me make clear that this guy really enjoyed racing last year. In fact, he was probably as excited about trying it again as I was. Yet, instead of being wrapped up in what he wanted or in his own self-interest, he stepped back and said, “I am willing to sit out so that my friend can have this experience too”.
To be honest, that thought never crossed my mind. I was driving! I had a car, I was looking forward to racing, and everyone else, though I felt badly for them, was on their own. Maybe I would have given up my ride if I someone had asked me to, but I was not going to volunteer to do it.
Selflessness is not a common trait. The ability to think about the needs of others, to “put yourself in their shoes” and then to give up something for the sake of others is a learned quality. It is also a quality that I still need to learn something about.
Romans 12:10 says, “Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle” (From “The Message”).
I loved racing at the speedway. I am thankful for the generosity of Blair and Carl Hanson. I am glad that I did well.
However, I am not so sure that I really “won”. Something tells me that my friend who was willing to “play second fiddle” was the real winner.
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