In NHRA drag racing, the Top Fuel Dragster’s have been called the Kings of the Sport since the early 1960’s. And rightly so, as they are the quickest and the fastest cars in the sport of drag racing. To wear the crown as the top dog is an honor, and that honor shouldn’t be taken lightly as it is a deserved privilege to be placed at the top.
In drag boat racing, the Top Fuel Hydro’s are at the top of the heap. Unlike their counter parts in drag racing that are only a mere three tenths quicker than the next fastest category (nitro Funny Cars), Top Fuel Hydro’s are more than half a second quicker than their nearest rivals (Top Alcohol Hydro’s).
A king is the one who may be a cut above his human constituency; not superior in value, intelligence, or godliness, but outstanding in a special way or ability as viewed by his peers.
Being a king is an honor. Such honor must be worn with respect and dignity. You may be the best in your respective business, group, or class, but you also must remember your roots (where you originally came from).
Being the king of your class in drag boat racing is also an honor, but it may only last one season. Hero-to-zero can come quickly. Then you’re back with the rest of the pack trying to make it to the top again. Hard work, long hours, and big finances (in your little part of the world) are what it takes in your attempt to attain a world champion’s crown.
No matter how well you’ve made it in life, whether in racing, business, or family, you must always remember how you got to where you are now. First, God’s blessings, wholehearted dedication, extreme endeavors from other individuals, and subsidizes from special people or sponsors are huge influences on your life.
A king normally has been blessed with some talent of his own, along with some learned skills and discernment. But even at the top, you can always glean from those around you no matter who, what, or where you may be.
A king doesn’t stay king without working hard in his kingdom. A king is only as good as his court (in God’s case the flawless court is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). An earthly king without a good crew can easily fall from glory. Hero-to-zero (or worse) can happen to anyone who only rests on past laurels. “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure” (Proverbs 20:28).
Resting isn’t an option for a king or a racing champion. He must keep striving to work harder, run faster, and keep up with ever-changing conditions just to be on his game. How should a king act? “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24). Why should a king persevere? “And lets run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). Why should a king be the best he can be? “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
As racers, everyone strives to be the best in their class. As human’s beings, everyone should strive to be the best in your own little part of the world. As Christians (believers in the Lord Jesus Christ) everyone should strive to be the best example you can. Remember, you are obligated by your Father in heaven to strive for spiritual maturity.
Perfection will never be achieved this side of heaven, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a run for the championship. In your racing world there’s a trophy that you’re after. And in God’s kingdom there is a crown that you should be looking to win. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
The crowning glory of righteousness in God’s kingdom isn’t any easier to attain than a championship in drag boat racing. Boat racing takes sacrifice, toil, and commitment to make it to the top. Being the king of the sport may take years to attain, and you may never have what it takes to get there, but in God’s kingdom, everyone has the same opportunity to rise above their circumstances. Remember, the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
Therefore, God doesn’t grade on a curve, He grades on a cross. His class doesn’t work for A’s and B’s, they work for C’s … JC’s that is: Jesus Christ is the only grade that matters in God’s classroom.
Achieving kingdom status isn’t reached by being the best, the baddest, the fastest, or the prettiest: It only comes through the crimson color of reconciliation through the Son of God. If you desire to be a record holder, try holding out for God, not selling out for the world. Try holding on to Christ; not holding on to what the devil would have you heist.
The Bible says that believers are kings, so if you have given your life to Christ, you have already made it to the top. Now in order to stay on top of your game, you must be perfect daily in the Lord … actually becoming more and more mature is what the Scriptures mean.
Mediocrity isn’t in a champions resume’. Your spiritual portfolio needs to show that your fixed-rate investments are stockpiled in the bank of Christ. Don’t worry about your stocks and bonds and CD’s. It’s time to re-invest your life’s savings in a plan that will bring the kind of interest that is fit for a king. Because, “God-investors will soon own the store” (Psalm 37:9 MSG).
Real earnings don’t come in dollars and cents. They are accumulated in heavenly cash. Faith is the currency of heaven. When your faith in Christ is invested in God’s kingdom you’ll understand the real meaning of T.R.U.T.H. The Real Understanding To Heaven.
Heaven is what you get “after” a life of faithfulness. Heaven is God’s contingency program. But first, He wants you to “run the product” as long as you can and as best as you can. Don’t just talk about it. Don’t just look like it. Don’t just want it for others? Just do it!
The king should be the “highest” example of what the kingdom stands for; of what it takes to please the only “Sponsor” who really matters in the world. This life is just a dress rehearsal for the next life. You may only get a few short years to learn your lines. Your part of the play needs to be practiced and practiced to get it right. I know that you know how to play the racing game (I see you at the racetrack), but God and the rest of the world need to see you get serious about the real performance.
The kingdom is here and now. The kingdom is within you. The “Kings of the Sport” must step up their program so that many others will also want to be at the top of their game, spiritually speaking.
Our graduating class is this year. Our class reunion will be in the eternal future. Our class mates are dying without hope if they don’t know Christ as Savior. Are you the best you can be in your class? Are you the best you can be in your spiritual walk? Are you ready to show your stuff to the rest of the class? Are you willing to be a king in your sport? Are you willing to be a king in God’s kingdom?
Being a king is not about cutting a good light … it’s about having God’s light in your life. When you can say that the only perfect light in your life is Christ … you can be distinguished as trust worthy in the Lord, as you become filled with the light that surrounds the glory of God. It’s not about dreaming of being a king; it’s realizing that you are a child of the King who has made you a king in His kingdom … therefore you must believe and receive your King if you want to be a part of God’s kingdom.
Don’t simply worship drag boats, worship the heavenly King, and the good news of your best-ever run will be an incredible journey down the path that leads to stardom. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).
God doesn’t take new believers straight to heaven after salvation. He leaves them here on earth and gives each one a ministry to carry out. So, if you wish to leave this earth a better place than you found it, share your heart as you remain faithful, being ever mindful that your heart is home to a King.
The loss of life as a death-defying drag boat racer is not nearly as tragic as being a Christ-rejecting human being that was offered a championship crown but turned it down for another run in the fast lane. Many kings and champions have come and gone, so please be sure your name is engraved on one of the trophy’s sitting on God’s mantel in heaven.