Running The Race by Tammy Noel Smith

          "Come one,come all,to the race of a lifetime!"
     
    I have to admit,I was never one of those young girls who dreamed of horses,like my daughter Gabby. Gabby knows all about horses,the different breeds and their purposes.Some are for walking in front of a plow,some for transportation, others for entertainment such as westerns,commercials and  horse shows.These days,they are using horses as therapy  for physically and mentally challenged folks,imagine that! The horse that I am most drawn to,are the race horses.Aw,not that I like going to the horse races but rather I love seeing films about real race horses that shouldn't have won,but did! Against all odds,some of these Triple Crown winners,should never have won that title.
     Why do I so much enjoy watching the race?Because it reminds me of the race I'm running.As a follower of Jesus Christ,I can't help watching as the horse starts out bad as a foal.A mistake,sired by bad blood,good for any other purpose BUT racing.The owner sees something that no one else sees and they wait patiently.Then something amazing happens....The horse likes to run,and fast.They have this insatiable need for speed.They want to please their owner.I think,isn't that what I want to do? I came into this world covered in sin,not really good for anything at all.Surrendering my life to Jesus,to cover my sins and make some sense why I exist,something happens....I want to run! I want to please my Owner,who sees something in me,His reflection.So He waits patiently while I learn from Him,through obedience and trusting Him.I cannot do enough to show Him my gratitude for hanging on that wretched cross for me,for my wickedness.The price He paid for me,a sinner with a death warrant.So,I run the race....
         
   "My son,do not forget My teaching,but let your heart keep My commandments,for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;bind them around your neck;write them on the tablet of your heart.So you will find favor and good success and the sight of God and man.Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding......"[Proverbs 3:1-35]

      I watched Secretariat, a film based on the life of the Triple Crown winner in 1973.For 25 years no horse had won this esteemed and highly honored title.Not only did Secretariat win,but he set race records for all three races,and they still stand today. I noticed how much work went into training this beautiful beast.Day and night,trial and error....the horse still wants to run.When his mouth is abscessed,he still takes the bit and races.Though he loses that race,he still ran it,while in pain.
      As a follower of Jesus Christ,I am running this race that I cannot help,but run even when my heart is broken and weary.I am moved by the Holy Spirit to hear and then obey what God calls me to.With every step of obedience,I find myself  getting further and further from what is comfortable.When the LORD commands me, "Go and adopt My little children,even if man questions your ability,your race,your age,your income to provide for them","You are my daughter,dress like you are the daughter of the King,even if man scoffs at you"."Go and share the Gospel even when you will be rejected and shown contempt by man"."Don't listen to man and his foolishness of disciplining children,they are Mine and I will give you wisdom and discernment,though you will still be ridiculed by the fool." "Teach your children about Me day and night,even if the world says I don't exist...they will hate you for it, but lift up your eyes to the hills from where your help comes from.It comes from Me,who made heaven and earth.I will not let your foot be moved;I,who keep you,will never slumber.....I am your keeper,I am the shade on your right hand."  [Ps.121:1-8]
         I stumble... I yell at my children out of impatience. I fall...I walk by someone without sharing the good news because I'm afraid of rejection. I am stubborn, prideful,mean spirited at times,fearful, but I run.I run because I was made to run this race.I was called to run this race.
       I repent,turning from my sin and keep running,"Brothers,I do not consider that I have made it my own.But one thing I do:forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." [Phil.3:13-14]


            I love the last scene in Secretariat.I notice how every eye is on that horse.They cannot believe he is so far ahead of every other horse in that race!The looks on the people's faces speak volumes of their awe at this horse that wasn't supposed to ever be there,but there he is, out in front.I too,have a cheering crowd as I run this race.All of heaven is cheering me on because my Owner is with me,is in me.He is the One who set me apart,knowing I was made for this race,knowing I am going to win this race!All for the Glory of the Owner of my soul,Jesus Christ!
       

    "Therefore,since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,let us also lay aside every weight,and sin which clings so closely,and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,LOOKING TO JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith,who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,despising the shame,and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."[Heb.12:1-2]
        .....As a horse prepares for the race of his life,the LORD has given me everything I need to run the race of my life!