August 4, 2021
Born to be Wild
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
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 (Hebrews 12:1, ESV).
Friend to Friend
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 racehorse… a man who others would no longer hire… 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.
“They’ve got him so screwed up running in a circle, he’s forgotten what he was born to do. He just needs to learn how to be a horse again.”
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 its roots. Back to a place where space was plentiful, and restrictions were but a simple fence. Back to a 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 – God’s awesome purpose for my life: to worship Him, to seek Him, to honor Him, and to obey Him… 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 abandoned… 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.
“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… 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 healed” (Hebrews 12:1-2,12,13).
Let’s Pray
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 Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
When in your life did you feel closest to Jesus? What could you do this week to reignite the wild passion and vision you were born for?
Read Hebrews chapters 12-13 and underline or write out any verses that connect with or challenge your heart. Then spend time in responsive prayer.
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© 2021 by Gwen Smith. All rights reserved.
Originally published Wednesday, 04 August 2021.
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