Starting in Last Can Still Win

NASCAR featured one of its crown jewel events, the Coca-Cola 600, on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway as Ross Chastain took the lead with six laps to go, becoming the first driver to win the race after starting at the back of the field.

NASCAR said he's the first driver to win from an official starting position of last since Bobby Allison at the Richmond Fairgrounds in 1969.

It was an epic comeback and a remarkable story, considering Chastain started in 40th place, led for only eight laps in the race, and was driving a new backup car built the night before after a crash during Saturday's practice.

Although many would consider him "too far back" to win the race, he reminded everyone that anyone out there on the track can find their way to victory lane.

NASCAR is structured to give every car at least an opportunity to win. Even if some cars are positioned better and are more likely to win, NASCAR desires races to be competitive and for each team to have a chance of winning.

Every car that enters a race is given the opportunity to win, and regardless of how flawed some teams, drivers, or cars may be or how discredited they are, it's still possible for them to find a way to win.

God's design for us has a parallel worth unpacking today. According to 1 Timothy 2:4-6 (NLT), He "...wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time."

Anyone can find victory in Christ because He died in our place and rose again so that everyone, through Him, would have the opportunity to live.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Even though many will reject Him, He desires for all of us to know Him, and we can have the hope that victory is available to all of us.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) explains, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

We have all been given the chance to “win” through Jesus, and regardless of how flawed we may be or how much others discredit us, victory and salvation are still possible for everyone.  

Even if someone only "takes the lead" with six laps left, nobody is "too far back" but can turn toward Jesus and find new life. In other words, we are given a new car after our first one crashed.

Today, let's remember that Jesus came for everyone and anyone, and nobody is too far gone or stuck in "last place" because of their past, their sins, or their current position.

Let's be encouraged not to give up on anyone who doesn't yet know Jesus because victory and grace are still attainable, and hope is always there.

Let's be encouraged by these powerful words from Titus 2:11-14 (NLT): "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving someone as flawed as me, for the victory I have in Jesus, and for the life You've given me both now and for eternity. Please show me the people You want me to share Your hope and victory with. Everyone indeed needs You, and You've made it possible for anyone to know You. So, please help me remember that. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.