2006-12-04 - Seabiscuit

Originally Published 2005-11-07

Jeremiah 29:10-14 I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.

Jeremiah 31:1-4 The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness. “Israel, when I went to give him rest. The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again, I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt.

If you have ever seen the movie Seabiscuit, you may understand when I say it reminds me of a love story. It resembles Christ's love for us, and how His strength can change our lives.

I wonder how many of us are broken by society and circumstances? I think often times, society encourages the brokenness in us, instead of trying to boost confidence. Other times, I think we don't know how to boost our own confidence. And to be honest, when it all boils down to it, neither society, family, nor ourselves are able to do that, to make the changes necessary to prove to ourselves we are ok after all.

But Jesus can. Jesus is like the horse trainer in the movie. He sees the Spirit in us, without allowing our outside appearance to hinder that. He knows distinctly (in a much more profound way) what exactly it is that each of us needs to bring the truth of ourselves.... our Spirits...outward.

Have self, circumstances, and society broken you down? Do you know that you have the Spirit within you, to become someone amazing? God knows it. He can see what you have on the inside, and He has the ability to bring it out. And little by little (or maybe even by great bounds), God will lovingly and gently, one by one, bring out the truth in you.... that truth, being His Spirit.

See, we all have an amazing family heritage, just like Seabiscuit did. Our Father is just as determined as his was. Just as Seabiscuit found his sire's determination within himself and learned to turn it from something negative to something wonderfully and beautifully positively powerful.... God wants us to know as well, that we truly are created in His image.

Seabiscuit's owner statement, "You don't throw a whole life away just because it's banged up a little bit" really affirmed well, what God Himself says about each of us. He's telling us not to give up or to give in to what society is telling us. And just as the jockey, Hadis said, "Brick by brick, citizens, brick by brick-" God is reminding us that He has a plan for us, that He has good works to perform toward us, that He intends to fill our lives with peace and hope.

Nelson's NKJV Study Bible maintains "Hope describes a faith that waits expectantly for God's redemptive and eternal blessing." Our future is not bleak. He draws near to us in lovingkindness. He created us, He built us, and indeed promises to rebuild us. So, let us look upward to the One who never rejects us, who continuously guides and restores us. This world cannot give us the strength we need. Our hope and our future are completely wrapped up in our wonderful and loving heavenly Father.

Lord, be with us today as we seek Your face. Lead us and fill us with hope and faith. Help us to understand that regardless of what the world or we think, You know we have the potential to do all things through your Son who strengthens us. Help us to feel that and know it, that we may glorify You with our lives.

In Christ's name,
Amen

Comments or Questions?
Cheryl

botwbld@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org