Session 5

What Happens When You Crash?

From Hebrews: A 24-Day Devotional

Going into the last lap of the Daytona 500, you’re heavy on the gas and feeling great with only two cars in front of you. One of the cars is your teammate, and talking together on the radio you both know the win is within grasp.

Before making the move, you look quickly in the rearview mirror to check for obstacles. But in that brief second you take your eyes off your teammate, you clip him and send him into the grass as you careen into the wall. The win is lost. After the race, you’re disappointed and apologizing to your teammate. He’s not mad and says, “Maybe next time.” But you can’t seem to move on.

In racing and in life, we have to learn to let go of the past mistakes, stop looking in the rearview mirror and focus on the win when it next presents itself. We all make mistakes. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Our sin is so great that apologies, burnt offerings, personal promises and sacrifices aren’t enough to cleanse us from our failures (Hebrews 10:8).

However, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross covers all of our mistakes and allows us to celebrate victory even after failed performances. Not only does He forgive, but He forgets! In Hebrews 10:17, Jesus says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

What if every time a driver started his engine, his teammate reminded him of the time he ruined everything? In Jesus, our mistakes are wiped clean and there is no need to look in the rearview mirror. Instead, Jesus encourages us to keep our eyes on Him for He knows the way to the finish line.

Reflect:

• Are you keeping your eyes on Jesus, trusting that He will lead you through all of your decisions? Is there anything you need to change to keep your focus on Jesus today?
• Have you let go of your past mistakes? What’s hindering you from moving forward into the life Jesus wants for you?