I first met NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson in 1994 when I was one of his sponsors through Nelson and Nelson Racing. He used to call me sir. Through him I met his dad Gary, who worked an off-road support trailer for BFG. Gary was also a very nice man, one of the good guys, and when he asked us to help him out for the 1996 Baja 1000, we readily agreed. He would be set up in Ojos Negros, and needed help when the racers would be coming through between 1am until 6am the next morning. They would be about 800 miles into the 1000 mile race at that time, and we would fuel them, change tires as needed, and do quick safety checks and mechanical repairs.
Working the BFG trailer was definitely first class. I had helped before, but mostly spent time with the Simon and Simon team, they had won the 1992 Baja 1000, or Nelson and Nelson, whose racer Larry Ragland had won the 1000, and the 500. He was Jimmie's teammate. So I was used to doing things right, just not in the numbers we would be faced with. In preparation we had to fill 10 gallon dump cans from a drum with a hand crank. Label all the tires and have them ready when the cars arrived. We had a full on kitchen, so food and drink was no problem, but sleep was. We had to sleep on tires or wherever we could find until our time came. Just be ready-and have the fuel and tires ready. Be safe above all! And with spotters along the way, we would know when the cars we would service were close, so we could be ready. Lack of sleep can be overcome by adrenalin, and commitment to service, which in this day before energy drinks was all we had to go on. And the love of racing. You didn't want to disappoint anyone after they had raced 20 hours, or miss them after your preparations-you had to stay alert and be patient.
Jesus tells in a parable about 10 bridesmaids, virgins, who are to be ready for the bridegroom to call for his bride. According to Jewish tradition, it could happen at any time, even midnight. And to have their lamps filled with oil, to light the torches to lead the way to the celebration. And to carry extra oil, for the torches would only last about 15 minutes, then had to be refilled. But sadly, some were not ready, and forgot the extra oil-they were asleep. And when they didn't make it to the wedding, could not get in-the door was locked. The parable telling us to be ready for the return of Christ, which is imminent, and don't miss out. Be watchful. A warning to those who think that religion gets them there, but it takes a relationship with Jesus Christ to get into the party. The oil representing the Holy Spirit, and if it is not in you, then you are not saved-for only through salvation does the spirit dwell in you. So sad to live expecting Jesus, but not go, because you were not ready. Because you followed a lie. So make sure you are ready-trust God. Waiting can be tough, but the rewards are unequalled.
At the end of our shift that year we had fueled 110 cars. I had lifted 110 dump cans at 75 pounds each. I can't tell you how many tires I had lifted or moved. And my body felt like it. I had been up all day, slept for a few hours on the floor in the trailer, but was ready when they called. I didn't miss what I had waited for, nor had my team mates. We were ready, and because of our service, the racers got what they needed when they needed it. A simple lesson in being prepared, of being watchful. Just like Jesus tells His church. Be watchful. We had some idea of when the racers would arrive, but didn't know times or the hours, just like we don't know the time of His return. But the signs were there, we had to look for them and be ready.
Are you ready? Is there oil in your lamp? How sad to be like a racer who wasn't prepared by leaving gas and tires. And how sad to be part of his race team and not deliver what had been promised. Jesus is coming-the time is short. And like in racing, to finish first , first you must finish. Stay true to the end, be watchful, and you'll have a podium finish-unlike any race has ever had. A finish for the human race, the only race you never want to DNF. And Jesus is the way. A crew chief for humanity. Make Him your Lord and crew chief today-and I'll see you on the podium-in heaven. I peeked at the end of the book-WE WIN!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com