Running Flawlessly

I don't think a night goes by that I don't lie down and think, "I should have been much, much better." One would think after 30 yrs of following God, I would have the character thing down pat. Yet, it seems that despite a deepening love of God, I continue to fail, continue to fall short, continue to disappoint myself and others.

So I settled with my folks in front of the television set, eager to watch California Chrome run the Preakness horse race -- the second of the elusive Triple Crown races. He won the Derby, but only some 30 horses have ever won both the Derby and the Preakness, and only 11 have won all three of the Triple Crown. With the mindset of knowing my own imperfection, I was rooting on many levels for California Chrome. I want the best to be possible, victory against odds, exaltation instead of dashed dreams.

The Bible tells us that without God we can do nothing; that the cleansing of our souls is His work, not ours. I suppose like any cleansing, it must be done repeatedly. Like laundry, we will never remain clean as long as we are called into use. God's washing is an ongoing process...at least in me. Perfection is the goal, but not very often the reality....not till Heaven.

When California Chrome sailed across the finish line, well in the lead, I shouted with joy and pumped a fist. He's just a horse and it's just a race...but it did my heart good to see him run flawlessly again.

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1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Romans 2:1 - Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

1 John 4:12 - No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 Timothy 2:5 - For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.