The fancy suits, mint juleps, beautiful dresses, and don't forget the playful hats that people spend ridiculous money on. All of the pageantry of high society is on display for the world to see at the Kentucky Derby. Add to that, the most perfectly bred horses owned by some of the wealthiest people around. They are beautiful creatures with muscles bulging from every part of their bodies, capable of running over 45 miles an hour. It is truly a spectacle.
With all the TV-worthy activity, pomp, and excitement, the most important element of the entire day hardly ever gets noticed or mentioned. Meekness.
If you watched the race, or most horse races for that matter, it's the horse that fully transfers its power to the best jockey who usually wins. In this year's race, Sovereignty hung back in the crowd until his jockey decided it was time to press. Then he pushed ahead at just the right moment, at just the right angles, and blew away the horses in front of him, winning the race by a healthy margin. It was beautiful. Naturally, these horses want to run and run faster than the one next to them. Without transferring that natural power to their jockey, they would burn out, run off the track, or into each other, causing turmoil in the race.
That's meekness. It's not weakness at all.
It's transferring our power under the authority of our sovereign jockey, Jesus.
"God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." (Matthew 5:5)
I had a horse years ago who was one of the strongest, most beautiful creatures I've ever seen. He was also incredibly passionate. When I was going through a difficult season in life, I would come home and walk over to the fence where he was waiting for me. I would walk up and he would lower his head next to mine, breathe with me to say, it's okay, I got you, and nibble on my hair a little, sharing some compassion. A sweet animal in so many ways, but...when it was time to ride...a monster!
He wanted to go, he wanted to go fast, and he didn't want to be bridled. He would fight and pull back and fight some more when it was time to take the bit. Truthfully, it was an epic battle most days. But when he did surrender, and I got on his back, it was pure power, smooth to ride, and pure joy. And if we ever hit the track, wow! He could fly, and it felt like he was running on air.
It's a lot like my relationship with Jesus. I don't want to be bridled. I want to run. I want to go, and go hard. But left to my own devices, I'm burning out, running off the track, or causing turmoil in my race and those around me. I need to transfer my power under the authority of a jockey who knows how to use it. Jesus.
How about you? Do you find yourself resisting the bit? Are you jumping and bucking and pulling back every time He gets close? Lower your head, let Him put the sovereign bridal on, and follow his lead. He not only shows you great compassion, but will unleash incredible power in your life that you didn't even know was there. That's how you win the race. It's not about the hats, the drinks, dresses, or suits. When meekness is on display, the race is yours to win.