Calvin, a committed jockey since the age of 8, wasn't exactly the man that was being expected to win. When you look at his life and the way he won the race, it is inspiring. First, most horses that grace the track at the Derby are flown by plane so they won't be too tired to race. Calvin's horse, Mine That Bird, rode 21 hours in a regular horse trailer hitched to a pickup truck. Second, most horses at the Derby cost in the millions of dollars. Calvin's horse cost $9500.00. Third, Calvin's horse was so far behind in the race that the owners had quit watching the race, certain of a total loss. Calvin surprised everyone when he came up from the very back and moved horse by horse way into the front. Fourth, Calvin had set his sights on winning the Derby from age 8. He endured until he won.
Certainly, this scripture comes to mind:
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2
We are running a race as believers. Ultimately, it is a race toward heaven but so often while we run that race we loss our focus. In losing our focus we often run the risk of not being able to cross that finish line.
Shouting from the rooftop:
Your ultimate destination is heaven.
You have to fix your eyes on Jesus.
Jesus will keep you from becoming weary in the race.
Jesus understands when you get weary.
He will hold you up as you run.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, RUN.
Your faith is being perfected as you run.
Perhaps you are running the race and feel like you are so far behind that you just want to quit... you think no one is watching anyway. Jesus is. Have you found yourself getting distracted and weary in the race? Take a break. Refocus on Jesus. Get back up and run. We are all running together. We WILL finish this race toward heaven.
4 comments:
Great visual! Thank you.
I love this post, Glenda! There is so much wisdom from this illustration on many levels! You are very wise and I enjoy your posts so much!
May giveaway! I am sorry I have been so busy. I need to brainstorm and get some more posts done!
Glenda....I love this.
Thank you for that encouragement. I have been feeling like the race was beating me lately.
It's a busy time in my life and I'm just plain tired.
But....I know that God is carrying me through....and that I can do it!
Perfect post for me...
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