| As far as Randy Tolsma was concerned, racing was everything in his life. His quest for speed and winning checkered flags began as a youngster racing go-carts on Sundays and evolved into his profession. But along the way, something was missing.
“My marriage was going well, my career was going great and my life was very good,” said Tolsma. “But you win one race one week, then it’s off to another race and you’re no longer a winner. Then, you’re striving to win again and you’re never fulfilled, no matter how much you win there’s always another hill to climb.”
Tolsma, now racing on the NASCAR Busch Series after a successful stint on the Craftsman Truck Circuit, began to see that success on the track would never give him the fulfillment he was searching for. In 1991, at the age of 25, Tolsma took a job at a sign shop to help meet the costs of his racing career. There, he listened to the business owner’s daughter discuss the peace and joy—and eternal life—she gained through her relationship with Jesus Christ. Tolsma was intrigued and asked a lot of questions—getting him to attend church was another story.
“I didn’t want to walk through those big wooden doors because I didn’t feel like I had the right clothes, and I wouldn’t know what to do if I was asked to do something,” said the veteran racer. “It was strictly embarrassment.”
While Tolsma was searching to find the peace that was missing from his life, his wife Tiffanie was on a similar quest. It did not take long for the two to finally end up in church, where they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. While they still face their share of everyday challenges, the Tolsma’s now know they can take comfort by putting their faith and trust in God’s biblical promises. Recently, the racing team Tolsma was driving for released him, leaving the soon-to-be first-time father jobless.
“I’m a Christian and this is when I put my faith into action,” added Tolsma. “I continue to speak the truth of His word and know that His arms are big enough to not only carry me through this but to give me the strength to handle it in a way that will glorify Him. He’ll help me get to the other side with something much bigger and greater than I could ever envision.”
|
|
