Taking Hold of Life

Ok. I will admit to sour grapes. But still. It isn't fair that some fresh horse that hasn't endured the grueling schedule of all the Triple Crown races can just waltz in on the Belmont, and spoil it for the incredible horse that should have made history. Still, you kinda had to laugh at the wife trying desperately to tell her irate husband, owner of the ousted Triple Crown contender, California Chrome, to zip his lips when his horse lost. Even before the race began, I was saying exactly what the irate owner was saying. It isn't fair. It is apples running against oranges.

If you don't know what I am talking about, get your face out of the hole in the sand and pay attention. California Chrome, that magnificent colt who won the Derby and then the Preakness was the strongest contender for the Triple Crown in years. I so wanted him to win. I was 17 when the last Triple Crown horse was crowned, the same age as my daughter is now. I remember watching that race with breathless wonder.  So this year, while my daughter and hubster and I chowed down on our Chinese take-out and watched with bated breath (at least I did),  I was really hoping history would be made again. But alas, victory was snatched by a fresh horse who had not withstood the rigors of the other two races. I call FOUL.

That's the way it's always been, claimed my husband. Perhaps. I don't have to like it, and it is still unfair, was unfair then, and is unfair now. But I suppose the point is that only truly exceptional horses can rise above the unfairness and still win. Triple Crown Winners are supposed to be rare.

The truly exceptional individuals, in horse racing and in life, are those who don't look at how fair the race is, how fresh the competition is, or really even at how magnificent the prize. They seek to be the best they can be at every given moment on every given day because excellence is its own reward. When the apostles started bickering about who would get to sit at Jesus' right hand in heaven, to be bestowed the honor their sacrifice indeed deserved, Jesus chastised them. Their focus was entirely on the wrong thing. Honor was not the goal. Behavior worthy of honor was.

I still think California Chrome is a great horse. I think he gave it his all, and he inspired me. He still deserves an extra helping of oats, and to be retired to a wonderful life as a stud horse. I think in the end, he could not care less if he missed the Triple Crown by a few lengths. I think he just knows he ran fast as he was designed to do, to the glory of his creator, and no one could expect more.
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Hebrews 11:6 

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Colossians 3:23-24 

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

1 Timothy 6:17-

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.