Great Forest Park Balloon Race in St. Louis

A Race of Faith: soaring toward what God has in store

The first one up is called the hare — a hot air balloon chosen to lead the pack in a yearly tradition known as The Great Forest Park Balloon Race. The race participants, affectionately called the hounds, rise to “chase” in pursuit.

Three years ago, my husband and I happened to discover this hot air balloon race in St. Louis, Missouri. We were there to visit our son, a busy college freshman, and we found ourselves left with ample time to check out the city. Our exploring led us to a hill overlooking a busy city park where we saw about 150,000 spectators eagerly awaiting the launch of dozens of hot air balloons.

Hot Air Balloon Race Participants

Year after year, we return to join this crowd and witness what we have since learned is the most well-attended, single-day balloon race in the United States. Record attendance, a major metropolitan launch site, and over forty years of history equate to a prestigious event which attracts balloon pilots from across the globe.

Comparing hot air balloon races to a race of faith

This year, as I watched the balloon pilots rise one by one and wave their goodbyes, I thought about a Bible comparison between the life of faith and a race:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Comparing faith to running is common in the Bible because foot races were popular in ancient times. People could easily understand the analogy. My curiosity about the meaning of this Scripture, and if the elements of a balloon race would also apply to it, led me to do a little research. Here is what I am learning:

Great Forest Park Balloon Race spectators

Every believer is needed in the race of faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, Hebrews 12:1 NLT

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race started in 1973 with a mere six balloons and a couple dozen spectators. Over the course of its history, event leaders retired and others devoted to the tradition stepped up to keep the race running strong.

In a similar way, the race of faith started long before we arrived. Believers, in the Bible and in our own family histories, held onto God’s promises through good times and hard times. They trusted God’s timing and ways. The race of faith continued because they inspired others. In this verse, the “huge crowd of witnesses” refers to this heritage of believers who kept the faith and won their race.

Every believer is needed to inspire someone else to continue the race of faith. Past or present, all believers are one in the body of Christ. Our work is needed to continue this race and to cheer others on. 

Great Forest Park Balloon Race basket liftoff

Take your place in the race of faith

let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Hot air balloons are held down by a vehicle and ground crew members until the balloon is fully inflated and ready for flight. At the last moment, all the extra weight is removed and the balloon is launched.

In a similar way, the race of faith requires us to let go of the things that weigh us down and keep us from our best race. Weight for us can be activities that keep us too busy and away from God. Or, sometimes the people we surround ourselves with may deter us from a relationship with him. Often, however, it is our own weakness or sin that is the heaviest and most easily overlooked weight holding us down.

Taking our place in the race of faith requires a keen eye and hard work. “Stripping off every weight that slows us down” means we need to study our lives, identify whatever weight holds us back from God, and let it go. Asking God to help us lighten the load readies us to rise into what he has planned for us.       

Balloon race pilot in basket

Run your own race of faith with endurance

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Set apart from typical races, participants in a hot air balloon race start at different times. They chart similar, but unique, unhurried courses to the finish. They do not race against each other, but with each other.

As participants in the race of faith, we also begin at different times in life and move at varying speeds. Our course is determined by individual circumstances, challenges, and the special way God made us. Like the balloonists, our race is not intended for speed or fame, but rather for steady travel among a community of encouragers.

Along the way, changing conditions make our journey difficult. Our faith gets shaky and we question God. In those moments, when we turn toward or away from God, we are deciding to stop or to continue the race. Each race of faith will require endurance. It takes endurance to trust God through pain and suffering. It takes endurance to discover and use the gifts he gives us. And, it takes endurance to keep learning about God and to believe in him.

God sees and values our persistence in the race of faith. His ways are always good. Ultimately, through our endurance, he will shape our character, encourage our hope, and even draw others closer to him.

“My philosophy is: Life is hard, but God is good. Try not to confuse the two.” -Anne F. Beiler

 Balloonists soaring together in race

How do we endure this race of faith?

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 NLT

When the leader or hare of The Great Forest Park Balloon Race lands, the crew marks the ground with a large ‘X’ so the hounds have a destination in sight. As they pass over the spot, the race participants toss a bag of sand or birdseed from above, aiming to come as close to the identified target as possible. The balloonist whose thrown bag lands the closest to the ‘X’ is declared the race winner.

In a life of faith, the target we aim for is a bit more complex than an ‘X’ on the ground, and there is more than one winner declared.

The goal in the race of faith is to transform our lives to look more like the life of Jesus.

During his life, Jesus loved those who others would not. Even though he faced struggles and temptation, he lived without sinning. He trusted God through trouble, suffering, and death. We have a secured place in eternity because Jesus chose to sacrifice himself for us.

What all of this means is Jesus is our goal, the prize, the perfecter of our faith–however you want to phrase it. He is the one we need to keep our eyes on to endure the race. As we learn about him and understand the depth of the sacrifice he made, our gratitude increases and we want our lives to change.

With our eyes on him, we realize the enormity of his unconditional love for us. He prays for us as we enter the race of faith, as we endure it, and when we reach the finish. Since he experienced life here, he knows how we feel which helps us trust him with our trouble. When Jesus is the destination in sight, then all who endure to finish the race will win. Jesus died to assure this was so.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

Hot air balloons floating in the breeze

A critical factor in the race…

Hot air balloon races and races of faith have one really important thing in common. Wind.

From what I’ve read, wind is the most critical factor for safe balloon flights. Wind affects every aspect of the flight from successful inflation, to how far and fast the balloon travels, to the ease and gentleness of the landing.

In the Bible, wind symbolizes the Holy Spirit:

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8

Balloonists and believers both rely on the wind

Like the wind that blows a hot air balloon, we cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we can see and feel his effects. Balloonists rely on the wind to ensure a safe and successful flight. And, believers must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them in their race of faith. Neither has control over the wind.

At times, the Holy Spirit asks us to be still as he nudges our faith along like a slow, gentle breeze. Other times, we must hang on tight as he enlightens or changes our faith in fast or powerful ways. Always, we remind ourselves no race takes place without him.

We fly only because the Holy Spirit helps us rise and then directs our eyes to the prize. As we soar, he works to keep us on course. Occasionally, as you might expect, he will also point out beautiful comparisons between the race of faith and the landscape which surrounds us.

Fly on in faith, my friends! ~Jamie

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12 thoughts on “A Race of Faith: soaring toward what God has in store”

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  4. Thank you for sharing these onsights, Jamie. And thank you for being one of those who encourages me and others along on our faith journey. Your faithful posts do more than you likely realize. Blessings!

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and read the post, Bruce! Your encouragement in my race of faith is a highlight in my day!

  6. So many great messages here, and the parallels and imagery with the balloon “race” are really helpful ways to translate
    Thank you Jamie for investing such time and care in this

  7. Somewhat related is, back in the day, I could run faster and longer in a race, than running on my own, cause my teammates were pushing me and I was sometimes pushing them. We were encouraging each other and holding each other accountable. In my opinion this race of faith is best done in community, rather than done solo.

    1. Good point! I agree. When we “encourage and build each other up,” we all run a better race! Thanks for sharing Jim…and running this race with me. 🙂

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