I LOVE horse-racing. It’s really the only sport I get into. Did you see the Kentucky Derby a couple of weeks ago? Wasn’t that an amazing race? “Mine That Bird” was a 50-1 long shot. No one gave him a second look! He came out of the gate, and two horses squeezed him out, putting him in last place. But Mine That Bird kept his stride, and slowly he began to pick up speed, passing one horse, then another. The crowd, the witnesses stood to their feet as they watched the endurance this horse and his rider portrayed. They kept their eyes on the finish line! And finish they did!
Before each jockey raced in the Derby, each had to weigh in (including his saddle) a maximum of 125 pounds. Do you think he had to strip off some weight that could slow him down and give him that edge?
Think on that one.
Yes, I do love horse-racing. But, have you thought about what kind of race you are running?
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 hinders our progress. And let us Run with endurance the Race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. Hebrews 12:1-2
This Saturday, May 16th we will be celebrating BigMama’s 90th birthday. What another beautiful example of someone running the race with endurance. She has been a wonderful example of God’s love. She has kept her eyes on Jesus as long as I have known her, which has been almost 39 years. If you want to see how to run the race well, look at Big Mama.
Mine That Bird will race again in the Preakness, and then hopefully onto the Belmont Stakes. Will this year be the year we have our “triple crown” winner? How about you?
Are you IN the race? How do you want to finish? Is there any weight you need to strip off that is hindering you? Now I know physically I certainly do, but what about spiritually? What’s weighing you down?
Barbara Goss