If you’re like most people I know – and especially racers as a whole – you probably find comfort in being able to turn the calendar from December to January every year. It’s a new year, a fresh start, and an opportunity to put the past behind and begin looking forward to a new beginning.
    
Due no doubt to my background and training as a minister, every year at this time my mind remembers a little portion of scripture located in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, in which this statement is made …“old things are passed away, and all things are becoming new.”
    
I can remember always being intrigued by that message. What a comforting thought to know that we are given opportunities to start anew. And even though the author was obviously speaking about new beginnings in a spiritual context, it’s nice to also have fresh opportunities in other areas of life.

 

Getting a fresh start

 

If you’re like most people I know – and especially racers as a whole – you probably find comfort in being able to turn the calendar from December to January every year. It’s a new year, a fresh start, and an opportunity to put the past behind and begin looking forward to a new beginning.
    
Due no doubt to my background and training as a minister, every year at this time my mind remembers a little portion of scripture located in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, in which this statement is made …“old things are passed away, and all things are becoming new.”
    
I can remember always being intrigued by that message. What a comforting thought to know that we are given opportunities to start anew. And even though the author was obviously speaking about new beginnings in a spiritual context, it’s nice to also have fresh opportunities in other areas of life.
    
The past is gone, perished forever. 2006 has become merely another memory for the historians to ponder. For many of you, that may be just fine. Perhaps last year doesn’t rank high on your list of memorable seasons. Perhaps you would rather think about 2007, looking forward with hope to a new season of opportunities.
    
One of the keys to understanding this concept is in recognizing that we must define newness in terms of quality and not only in terms of time. In other words, an emphasis must also be placed on the form or quality of any fresh start.
    
In many ways, any new beginning is a progressive transformation and not necessarily immediate in nature. There is a definite point of new beginning, from which springs a progressive development. Oftentimes it is better to not think about what you are, but to focus on what you are becoming.

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Even the natural world around us is a constant illustration of this principle of progressive growth. When we see a magnificent Redwood tree, we know that the tree had a beginning, but we also know that it didn’t become a fully-grown tree overnight. (Ever see an acorn?)
    
When I admire all the new race cars at a season-opening race (always one of my favorite annual rituals), I know that each of those vehicles had a specific point of beginning, but I also appreciate the fact that they did not automatically become race cars overnight. Parts had to be purchased and pieced together meticulously until that one exciting moment (usually the night before the race) when at last that race car became a fully-developed reality.
    
This important principle is quite evident in the natural realm, and it is also relevant to the spiritual realm. In a spiritual context we might accurately liken such progressive development to the process of maturity.
    
As is true in building any race car, no type of process is automatic. You cannot merely purchase a pile of parts, stash them in your garage each November, and open the door in February expecting to roll out a completed race-ready vehicle. Building a new car involves a process of planning, developing and implementing. There is no easy way around it. Even if you decide to mortgage the house and purchase a complete car, it still had to be built by someone. It’s a reality of life.
    
One of my personal slogans is …“there are no major sponsors in the race of life.” In other words, you cannot purchase maturity. You have to build maturity into your life. And it requires proper resources, sufficient know-how, and the willingness to expend energy and put forth effort. Plus, there is usually a significant cost involved.
    

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I thoroughly believe that goals are important when facing a fresh start, and I’m certain that most drag racers have already established their racing objectives for 2007. And those goals will come in a variety of forms. Perhaps your goal is to qualify at a national event for the first time. Or perhaps your objective in ‘07 is to become a national champion. But remember the obvious – you cannot become a champion after the first race. Therefore, your season must become a series of smaller goals, hopefully leading to your ultimate objective. Becoming a champion requires time, planning, and a progressive development throughout the course of a season. Creating “personal growth” goals in life is similar.
    
As you enter this new year, remember that the process of “becoming” takes time. Remember as well that personal maturity takes time. But maturity will not happen automatically. It must be thoughtfully planned and carefully considered.
    
Don’t forget to consider the spiritual side of your life in this new year. After all, without personal growth and maturity, racing (and anything else you care to name) becomes very empty and unfulfilling. So don’t neglect yourself. You’re worth the investment of time and concern. 
    
Think about what you want to become in the future. Then think about the process of time and the pathway of choices that will help you reach that goal. Let’s get dialed-in for ‘07 and drop the hammer on an exciting season of greater growth and personal maturity.

 

 

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