The beginning of Jann Mardenborough’s racing career is themain subject of the movie “Gran Turismo”. As a young child in Cardiff (Wales,UK), Jann had been fascinated by race cars and wanted to become a race cardriver. He began playing the popular racing video game Gran Turismo and eventuallyassembled a sophisticated sim-racing setup at his home. While the Mardenboroughsdid not have sufficient connections or funds to get Jann into the racing world,Jann’s mind remained completely enveloped in motorsport. He eventually enrolledinto engineering school to study motorsport engineering but quickly washed out.

Then one day an unusual opportunity arrived. Nissan and GranTurismo partnered up and created an online time-trial competition for sim-racers.The grand prize was a professional racing contract with Nissan. Jann won theonline race, successfully completed the GT Academy training, and won the final on-trackrace to earn the contract with Nissan. Jann’s career began to grow, and he was livingout his childhood dreams. Then, a few years into his career, Jann had aterrible accident in Germany. One spectator was killed and Jann was briefly hospitalized.Jann was mentally shaken and his coach (chief engineer) helped Jann regainconfidence in his ability. Jann quickly got back in the seat and helped the Nissanteam find success.

Acts 20:24 gives us a clear picture of our task and race, totestify the “good news of God’s grace,” but just how do we do it?

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Commit

“Motivation gets you started, commitment keeps you going.”

PS 37:5 NLT

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

Not everyone is on board. While Jann won the online time-trial to get into the GT Academy, his parents doubted him. When he arrived at the academy, even the chief engineer cast doubt on the to-be racers, telling them “this is not a game.” Sometimes commitment to the Lord looks strange tothe world. Jann was committed to his new opportunity, telling his father, “I am doing it whether you believe in me or not.”

Bring your best

1 Cor 15:58 NLT

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Jann brought his best to the GT Academy and eventually won the top spot. The commitment and practice no one sees is what brings the results that everyone sees. Unfortunately as Jann’s career progressed, he had a terrible accident which killed a bystander. Jann was guilt-stricken and had a difficult time getting back on the track.

Heb 12:1 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crown of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down.

Jann’s crash did not kill him, and eventually he got back into a car and continued his own race. “If it’s not fatal, it’s not final. ”Keep on going.

Stay in the race

Galatians 5:7 NLT

“You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?”

We will always face obstacles, detours, and roadblocks. The presence of these things do not mean we are off the path. Jann’s chief engineer shared a story about a wreck and quitting racing. How do we respond to setbacks? What happens to you does not define you.

2 Tim 4:7 NLT

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

Jann was soon racing in Le Mans and the team was behind. Jann saw what no one else saw, and fought to keep the team competitive and in the race. Sometimes staying in the race looks unconventional. Sometimes it means taking different lines to meet the same goal. It may look strange, but God’s way looks unconventional to the world.

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