Chase Elliott: The Privilege of Pressure
Text: Jeremiah 12:1-17
“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” —Jeremiah 12:5
When Chase Elliott became the third youngest stock car driver to win a NASCAR Cup championship in 2020, it may have surprised others, but it was no surprise to him. Elliott has become successful at the highest level of his sport, riding on a mantra that he learned from University of Georgia head football coach, Kirby Smart. “Pressure is really a privilege,” the coach said. “You should feel privileged to have pressure to win games, to have expectations.” Elliott believes that if you don’t like the pressure, you don’t deserve the right to be in a situation that has such huge stakes attached to it.
Jeremiah was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, who faced immense pressure in his leadership. First it was the pressure of rising above the intimidation of being such a young leader and finding the confidence to overcome the insecurities innate to that territory (Jeremiah 1). Later he would complain to God about the pressure of his leadership assignments, especially when he was under attack and ridicule from others. He asked God: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”
Jeremiah found himself in a pressure cooker situation, calling out the sins of his people as they plunged into a delusional state of apostasy. He suffered ridicule and even murderous plots for doing God’s work, and yet God didn’t coddle this guy in his self-pity. Look at the tough love packed into this question: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5 ESV) It’s the Lord’s rebuke and a warning that Jeremiah must brace for greater difficulty and even more pressure to come. If Jeremiah doesn’t know what to do with the pressure of this moment, he is grossly unprepared to face what is going to happen next. Or in NASCAR vernacular, If he cain’t keep pace wit ‘dem fellers, he surely ain’t gonna keep up wit ‘dem horses!
Every trial that you and I face today could very well be preparing us for an even greater testing of our faith tomorrow. Are we embracing the tension and handling the pressure with God’s perspective? Leaning into Christ’s strength in our weakness enables us to run with the kind of perseverance we didn’t think was possible (2 Corinthians 12:9). You never know what you are capable of going through until God brings you through it. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we see your love even in rebuke. It always comes with a grace to lean into you for strength, sufficiency, and wiser perception. Help us to view pressure through the lens of a sound biblical perspective. Holy Spirit, grant us the power to endure every trial and every hardship with the kind of poise that can only you can give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Reflection and/or Group Discussion
- How do you typically fare under pressure?
- What questions did Jeremiah pose to God concerning His justice? (Jeremiah 12:1-4) How did God respond? (v.5) What did God reveal that He intended to do to His unfaithful people? (vv.7-13)
- Why is it sometimes tempting to give up living God’s way if you see no immediate results?
- What is your perspective of pressure in this moment? Is it a privilege? A burden? Something else?
- In what area of your life do you need to guard against self-pity and to gain a better perspective of trials and pressure situations?
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