Senna Part 2–Teach us to number our days: Psalm 90:12

The story of Formula 1 race car driver, Ayrton Senna is so compelling that I couldn’t help but write this post to let you know how the whole thing ended. After his victory over his rival Alain Prost (see post on Genesis 33 to read Part 1 of Senna’s story) he went on to win two more world championships. Ayrton Senna was a flawed man, yet greatly loved in his native Brazil, and around the world, for his humble, unassuming nature. In an interview after winning his third world title, Senna talked about how he was happiest when he was learning and improving as a driver, and also as a man. At the end of the interview he made this comment:

“There is a lot to go, a lot to learn, a lot to live, but I have plenty of time.”

I don’t know anything about Ayrton Senna’s beliefs or theology, but I do know that shortly after that interview, on Sunday, May 1, 1994, the morning of the San Marino Grand Prix, Senna woke up and asked God to talk to him. He opened his Bible to a verse that, according to his sister, said “God would give him the greatest gift of all gifts, which was God Himself.” (perhaps the verse was John 3:16)

Later that same morning, while leading the San Marino Grand Prix, Ayrton Senna died as a result of injuries suffered in a crash. He was 34 years old.

“Why aren’t you investing in your relationship with your God?” the old man asked.

“What’s the hurry?” Replied the young man.

Maybe, like Senna, you’re thinking, “there is a lot to go, a lot to learn, a lot to live, but I have plenty of time.” You might be making plans: today or tomorrow we’re going here and doing that, we’ll have some fun, or do some work, maybe make some money. But, really, how do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:14 NLT)

Life is short. Eternity is so long that it’s incomprehensible.

The day is coming when you’ll be glad for every minute of time that you devoted to eternal things, heavenly things, those things that please God. And that day is coming much quicker than you realize. So begin now to invest your time, your energy, your focus to growing closer to Christ. Or as Jesus put it, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) When you realize the brevity of your life here on earth, it’s the only thing that makes sense.

Lord…

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” -Psalm 90:12

[You might also like: Senna Part 1–Senna vs. Prost–Esau Ran to Jacob]

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Image via Damien – Creative Commons