I love a good movie, especially when it's based on a true story. And so a few nights ago when my husband and I settled down to watch the movie Secretariat I was looking forward to a good time. However, God never wastes anything and He had more than just fun in store for me.
From the moment Penny Chenery inherited the family stables she had a fight on her hands. It was her grit, belief in her father's dream, her refusal to give up and faith in a spritely colt that she called Big Red that launched a horse to greatness.
The movie was rife with treasures, but one scene stood out above the others. It is the night before the Premont Stakes. The Triple Crown is within reach. Penny Chenery goes to the stables to see Secretariat. She tells the big red horse, "I realized something. I've already won. I made it here. I didn't quit. I've run my race. Now you run yours."
Those words went straight to my heart. I want to be able to say that I've won--that I didn't quit and that I ran my race.
Life isn't easy for any of us. Illness, circumstances, people who don't believe in us or our dreams, fears and roadblocks placed in our way by the enemy try to keep us from greatness, from the calling placed upon our lives by God. I can't count the number of times I've wanted to give up. It would be so much easier to simply ignore the challenges placed in front of me and to curl up somewhere and hide from the world. And then I hear . . .
Don't Quit! Believe in The One who has called you.
God has a plan for our lives, but know this--nothing of value comes easy. We need what Secretariat had--heart. And we need what Penny Chenery had, faith and stamina for the race we've been called to run. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."
Don't quit. Run to win.
Grace and peace to you from God,
Bonnie
oooh, I so relate to both sides! Most folks think I'm a great Don't Quit person--ha! I'm so totally a quitter and have many times. But God! But Randy! But my kids! But my friends!--Perhaps I'm just really needy and have to have my cheering section? Whatever! I'm just glad I never get my way in this area... :)
ReplyDeleteI can be both a quitter and a fighter at practically the same time! But God! But Randy! But my kids! But friends! They all never let me... and how thankful I am...
ReplyDeleteGo Patti! How wonderful to have people in your life who lift you up and cheer you on.
ReplyDeleteGreat encouragement, Bonnie. Once again, straight to my heart. How do you do that everytime? :)
ReplyDeleteI loved that movie, too. The thing the struck me about it was the way Big Red gave it all--fully lived out what he was created to do for the sheer joy of doing it ... to the glory of God! How often to I come to my calling under the burden of obligation? The Lord's been showing me it's an invitation, not an obligation.
I'll sure miss you this summer! I'm not going to the conference this time around.
Hi Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I do it -- It's a God thing and a people thing. We all share the human condition. I write what is laid upon my heart.
I'm so sorry you won't be at the conference. I missed last year--that means two years that I won't see you. Hmm. Something just isn't right about that. I'll miss you.
Hugs.