I watched a really good movie over the weekend. I am sure some critics will hate it because it quotes scripture or because it is somewhat predictable. However, I think the film was charming and heart-warming. "Secretariat" peaked my interest because it was filmed mainly in the geograghic area where I work during the week. I also remember watching Secretariat run when I was a youngster. In the movie, the horses are majestic, the slow motion parts are beautiful, and the story line is interesting in that a woman stands by her "gut feelings" and has the courage to stand up to an industry and even her own family. I recommend the movie.
One of my favorite parts of the movie was the first few seconds that begins with a beautiful voice-over reading of Job 39:19-25 which eloquently describes horses and why most people enjoy watching horse racing, a sport considered a sport of royalty. 19 "Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? 20 Can you make him leap like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. 21 He paws in the sand, and rejoices in his strength; He gallops into the clash of arms. 22 He mocks fear and is not frightened; Nor does he turn back from the sword. 23 The quiver rattles against him, the glittering spear and javelin. 24 He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; Nor can he stand still when the trumpet sounds. 25 At the blast of the trumpet he says, "Aha!" He smells the battle from afar, the thunder of captains and shouting."
To me, watching horses run is beautiful and majestic and an awesome display of strength and grace. I know this may sound really silly, but I have the same thoughts when I watch Joshy run. I hope he understands that God gave him an incredible talent and that his talent should be used as a tool to help people, to reach people, to draw attention to God. Just like Secretariat, Josh's running days will soon be over. I would encourage him to enjoy the journey, enjoy the practices. Enjoy the comraderie. Push the limits, see how far and fast you can go. Embrace the pain and push yourself mentally. Learn to welcome the feel of your lungs and heart pounding as if they will burst.
So, I am going to translate Job 39: 19-25 to help Joshy relate. Here goes. 19 Have you given Joshy strength? Have you seen his hair shake like thunder when he runs? 20 Can you make him come out of the starting blocks like a gazelle when the gun goes off? His competitors hear him breathing down their necks as he makes his powerful move around the last corner and down the stretch. 21 He flexes and stretches his muscles before getting into the starting blocks and rejoices in his strength. He eagerly joins in the battle on the track. 22 He mocks fear and is not frightened by the "powerhouses" and state champs that line up at the start line with him. 23 He gets ready for the race by putting on his wild-looking spikes and speed suit. 24 He devours the 400 and 800 with fierceness and rage; Nor can he wait until the starting gun goes off. 25 At the blast of the starting gun he says, "Alright, I am ready to run!" He can sense the war that is about to take place on the track, with the thunder of Coach Johnson yelling and shouting."
The end of this story in the Bible has God saying to Job, "I owe no one anything. Everything under the heavens is mine. And Job couldn't argue. God owes no one anything. No explanations. No excuses. No help. He doesn't owe me any talent at all. He doesn't owe Joshy incredible running speed and strength.
Which makes the fact that he gave us everything even more astounding!
Dont forget where your incredible talent comes from Joshy and then run like the wind.
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