"
Both his stature and demeanor were unimpressive to elite breeders. He was exercised with harsh tactics, under cruel restrictions and publicly dismissed by a professionally acclaimed trainer. Eventually the horse, Seabiscuit, became a wild, bitter, and angry animal that was considered worthless to the racing world and was sold for a very small price.
The new owner, a wealthy auto salesman, hired an experienced trainer to work with the racehorseā¦ a broken man who others would no longer hireā¦ a man who, like the horse, had been beaten up by life a bit.
This new trainer had his hands chock full of rebellion with the stallion, but he patiently and painstakingly trained him as best he could. He watched closely as the small horse raced without heart on the track, and soon identified a major problem.
āTheyāve got him so screwed up running in a circle, heās forgotten what he was born to do. He just needs to learn how to be a horse again.ā
To help the horse remember how to be a horse, the trainer had the jockey run him in open grassy fields. They took the horse back to his roots. Back to a place where space was plentiful, and restrictions were but a simple fence. Back to the place of his first love: wild freedom. And by doing so, they awakened a fresh spark of purpose in the heart of Seabiscuit.
He went on to be a champion that ran like the wind.
There have been times in my life when I was so focused on limitations, distractions, doubts, and losses that I failed to see my possibilities.
Times when I fixed my thoughts, my goals, my choices, and my habits on ways that led to death instead of life.
Times when I lost sight of true vision ā Godās awesome purpose for my life: to worship Him, to seek Him, to honor Him, and to obey Himā¦ so that He might be glorified in and through every race I run.
Have you been there? Are you there now?
For Seabiscuit to run with the power and passion he was made to run with, he needed to remember that he was a wild stallion. The same is true for you and me. To live the lives we were born to live; our vision must be cast beyond the restrictions and obstacles we face.
Our vision must be fixed on the One who designed us to worship with wild abandonā¦ to live with wild freedom.
You were born to be wild, friend. Wild for Jesus. Wild with purpose. Wildly surrendered to the will of God. Wildly obedient to His commands. Wildly led by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within you.
āTherefore, 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 Godā¦ Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healedā (Hebrews 12:1-2,12,13).
Dear Lord, Thank You for promising restoration, redemption, and renewal to all who call on You. Help me to look beyond my failures, challenges, and limitations to Your abilities, healing power, and boundless love. Be my vision, Lord. Empower me to live in the wild freedom of Your grace and in the center of Your plan. In Jesusā Name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
When in your life did you feel closest to Jesus? What can you do today to reignite the wild passion and vision you were born for?
Letās pray together today. Meet us in the comments section to share your heart and pray for one another.
Comments 12
Thanks So Much. I TRULY Can Relate. A Much Needed READ for ME. AMEN
Author
Great to hear from you, Gail. š Thanks for doing life with me!
GWEN
The content of this newsletter reached deep into my soul and stirred and stirred and stirred me up. It took me deep into a quiet place in the presence of Jesus. Thank you.
Author
Glory to GOD! Love hearing this! That’s what it’s all about, Dolores.
Blessings to you,
GWEN
Your question brings me back to a time before all the confusion began. A time of childlike love for Jesus. Vacation Bible School. When I first came to feel that Jesus was real and I learned of his love for me and all of us little children. I believe that early learning sustains me even today.
Author
LOVED vacation Bible school, Mary!!! A childlike love for Jesus is powerful. Praying for us all to have our deepest passion to be reignited for JESUS today!
GWEN
Thank you so much for this email! It spoke so powerfully to me. My hearts desire is to have reckless abandon to Jesus. To love honor and obey him. Iām still hung up on my failure and my disobedience of alcohol. I come home from work have a drink because thatās my habit itās what I do. Alcohol the drink that āmakes everything better more funā Iām tired of living in that lie. I want to lay it aside.! I want to know my savior to love him and walk in obedience. Thatās when Iāll start to truly know him. I really thank you and am asking for prayer too.
Author
Thanks for sharing this, Lisa. I believe your habit is a common one – and definitely one the Lord will give you strength to grow from and through. Praying for you now!
Gwen
Me too! I have health issues causing pain, etc. so my wine time is after dinner escape time. Just a glass, sipped over the evening. God has been leading me away from that, He is my rest. This devotion and your comment is so eye opening, Thank you for sharing.
Author
So glad you’re in my community so we can spur one another on, Caroline! Praying for you now, friend,
GWEN
My Redeemer lives and has the last say in my life. In Redemption, Yeshua gave me a remission of sin/justification/salvation/Justification from all guilt š/divine healing/delivrance. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Everything works for my good. IJMN. Amen.
Author
Yes and amen!