A popular movie by this name several years ago told a tale of three men in shackles who escaped together from a prison chain gang in the deep south.  The movie was very entertaining and humorous with an undertone of the power of prophecy.  Despite its high entertainment value, I never quite got the connection to the movie’s title.  No doubt, this was due to my shallow understanding of the plot and theme.

A more clear and profound answer to the question of ‘where is our brother’ is always evident at the races.  At a recent race in Wilson, NC, I took a nasty spill on the front stretch just past the starting line.  I was just behind and between two other 350 hydros, when I hit a hole created by the convergence of their wakes.  The boat instantly departed stable running and was thrown sideways and upward.  I was quickly ejected and thrown across the water.  Thankfully there was no damage to me or the boat which ended upright.  By the time the rescue boat got me back to the pits, a whole cluster of my racing brothers already had the boat on its cart and were draining the water.  THANKS, GUYS!

This is not the first time I’ve been so blessed by my racing family.  I’m sure most every other racer can attest to a similar experience.  Despite the sometimes intense competition that happens on the water, it is always overshadowed by the outpouring of help and support when a racer needs it the most.  The racing family is a living witness to the second greatest commandment:

“Love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31

I am even more thankful to be loved by a gracious and loving God who gave himself up for me through Jesus Christ:

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

Be blessed and race safely.

See you at the ramp.