The Kentucky Derby has just been run in America. It’s there most iconic horse race – similar to our Melbourne Cup. The winner this year was Rich Strike. He was most definitely a long shot.
Rich Strike had only ever won one race before – hadn’t even placed second in his last five starts. He didn’t qualify for a start in the big race but was listed as a reserve. You guessed it, horses starting pulling out of the race for one reason or another and with exactly 30 seconds before the deadline for acceptances – Rich Strike sneaked into the race.
Rich Strike was considered no chance to win and understandably had the worse odds in the field of 80 to 1. Even during the race, he was at best middle field when they came around the final corner into the home straight. He was an unremarkable horse surrounded by the most famous horses in America – he had no chance. Yet nobody told Rich Strike he was not supposed to win.
Out of nowhere Rich Strike found something, and surged to the lead and held onto win an amazing victory.
Rich Strike’s trainer Eric Reed put it this way; Small trainer. Small rider. Small stable. We should have been 80 to 1. But I knew what I had. I knew what he was capable of and if he ran well, anything could happen.
We can sometimes feel overwhelmed and insignificant. We don’t have the skills, drive or opportunities to succeed in life. Others appear to have it all together and leave us behind. We can get caught in the middle of the pack just treading water, sometimes even going backwards. No sure where we are going or what we should be doing. How can we be successful in life?
Despite what everyone thought; Rick Strike’s trainer knew what the horse was capable of and if he ran well, anything could happen.
With us, it’s not so much what we are capable of but what God is capable of. If you have faith in God anything can happen.
Jesus’ disciples were a mixed bunch. They certainly did not have money, power or success. They were plucked by Jesus from relative obscurity. At times Jesus praised them but he also dressed them down for their unbelief, selfishness and pride. After Jesus was crucified, they all deserted him. Peter actually denied knowing him.
Yet somehow these uneducated men stood up and preached the gospel in the face of stifling religious persecution, even to death. They feed the widows and those in need. They cared for the sick. They respected women and children despite the prejudices inherent in their culture. They modelled a society of caring for others before yourself.
From their fearless and relentless dedication to the Christian cause they changed the world. Our society today is based on their commitment to a just and free society where all are equally valued.
How did they achieve this? They were certainly long shots. At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, their odds of changing the world would have been a million to one.
They achieved this by the power of the Holy Spirit. Humanely speaking they could not do much. But with the power of the Holy Spirit, they could do so much.
So it is with us. Humanely speaking we might not be able to do too much. But with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish so much. We don’t have to be all powerful, all talented, all knowing. We just have to ask God for help and accept it when it is given.
Jesus says in Matthew 9:26 says; Humanely speaking this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Don’t fear – just do. Ask God for help and he will see you through. So much more can be accomplished in his power. More than you can ever imagine. He is the God of the long shot.
Go with God.
Phenomena Adeniran MathewC
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