FAST: Accelerate Your Faith

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines!  VAROOOM! VAROOOM!

Have you ever been to a car race? Being “FAST” is important. However, for a racecar driver to be the fastest, he or she needs to make many adjustments during the race. If he or she does too much of one thing, such as continually hold down the gas pedal or turn the steering wheel too much, there’s going to be a wreck that could potentially take him or herself, and even other drivers, out of the race.

Our faith is very similar. Like the professional driver, we need to have different skill sets to navigate our lives so that we can be victorious and win this race. Paul expressed very well the importance of winning this race and receiving the prize.

1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Welcome to FAST Training

Welcome my good friends to FAST training. Here I am going to introduce you to four roles that every believer needs to take on to help them run the race. Let me first introduce you to our FAST team. They are as follows:

Farmer
Athlete
Soldier
Traveler

Now that they have been introduced, I’m going to briefly go over how each of these identities function, so you can get an understanding of how to incorporate them into your own life.

The Farmer

The farmer is so important because he knows the importance of getting an early start to make sure all of the daily chores get done. He is also skilled in planting seeds properly so that they will yield the best possible crop. His faith in God is without fail. He depends on the Lord to provide rain and protect him and his livestock from sickness. However, possibly the most important characteristic of the farmer is his patience. For God prospers the farmer’s work over time, and the farmer knows to use the fruits of labor wisely.

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

The Athlete

The athlete is likewise important. She knows the importance of maintaining her health and being flexible. She hungers for victory, but is graceful when things don’t go her way. She also knows that repetition leads to success, and is not afraid of a challenge. Perhaps her greatest asset though is her willingness to work with others in a team setting. This “team” is oftentimes her family. She builds them up and helps them to prosper and be great athletes as well.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

The Soldier

Being a soldier is part of the Christian faith, but not everybody is a good soldier. A good soldier knows how to follow orders and execute them with great accuracy. He is early to rise and he is dedicated to his cause. He is also willing to lay down his life for those he cares about. Like the farmer and the athlete, he too has a great asset, and that is his attention to detail. Without it, he would miss the target or get lost and fall into a trap. Likewise, we need to pay attention to the details written in God’s word to help us successfully accomplish the mission the Lord has called us to.

2 Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The Traveler

Isn’t it every person’s dream to see the world? If one were to examine the life of Jesus Christ, they would see that He was very much a traveler. So were the apostles, who were responsible for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. You see, the traveler is very unique. He needs to know the ins-and-outs of the places he goes so that he can connect with the locals. Likewise, we need to have an understanding of those around us so that we can successfully witness to them. The traveler also has a great asset, which is the desire in him to step outside of his comfort zone. Oftentimes we can become complacent when we stick to close to home. We need to be like the traveler and be willing to step into situations that may not seem ideal so that we can be missionaries for Christ and bring others into God’s kingdom.

Matt 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own town

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Final Thought

Friends, applying the qualities of the four FAST identities to your own life will certainly jumpstart your faith. In addition they will keep you from spinning your tires in an idle position, which leads to a stagnant life. So keep your faith zooming, and teach others to be FAST as well. Let’s reach the finish line together and rejoice with each other forever in victory lane. Thank you for reading and God bless.

Which FAST identity are you like the most? Which FAST identity do you need to work on the most?

*I would like to give a special thanks to my dear sisters in Christ who provided the concept for this article. Thank you and God bless.