Born to Win: Running Life's Race with Purpose
Have you ever been truly mesmerized by a sporting moment? For me, it was the thundering sound of hooves at Churchill Downs and watching the legendary Secretariat win the Triple Crown in 1973. He ran in the Kentucky Derby in under two minutes, which is a feat that has still not been done again to this day. Moments like these are electric, almost magical—and they have much to teach us about running our own race in life.
Royal Bloodline: You Were Made to Win
In horse racing, bloodline is everything. Trainers and breeders study pedigrees for generations, looking at who sired the horse and what races its ancestors won. These horses weren't just born to run. They were born from runners. People pay millions for horses with winning bloodlines.
But here's the beautiful truth from Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith..." You are part of the right bloodline, the right heritage, the right people of faith—for free—because Jesus willingly gave it to you.
Their runners come from runners, and so are you. There are so many giants of faith, even in your family, that have gone before you, encouraging you to keep going. Take heart in knowing that you were made to run this race.
Strip Away What Slows You Down
Hebrews 12:1 continues: "Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up."
In the Kentucky Derby, jockeys wear multiple pairs of goggles around their neck. Why? Because as mud and dirt fly during the race, they need clear vision to see the path ahead. They strip away what blocks their view.
In the same way, we can't run this race of faith carrying around our sin, our shame, our distraction, or fear. Some of you might think you're doing great at life, but in reality, "you're a sports car that's towing a semi full of baggage." You might make it for a while, but you won't finish the race.
Friends, the race we are running is hard enough. Don't carry things that God never asked you to hold.
Running Your Specific Race
Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. God is the initiator of the race, and He has set you on your course. This is crucial: You don't run to earn your place. You run from your identity.
How many times have we gotten this backward? Running for the promotion, for the money, for someone's affection? Instead, first, you are God's masterpiece, you were made by Him. You are made to win because you are His and you are loved by Him.
In horse racing, horses run on different tracks—dirt, turf, grass, mud—and they're bred to run on specific courses. Similarly, God made you for a reason, on purpose. He's equipped you. He wants you to win.
Jesus: The Champion Trainer
Hebrews 12:2 tells us: "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."
Just as winning horses need skilled trainers who understand the course and prepare them for every challenge, we have the ultimate trainer in Jesus. He ran the race before us. He knows how to prepare us for this race. He walked the path of obedience, of suffering, of endurance and joy. And now he trains us in the exact same way.
While legendary horse trainer D. Wayne Lucas was known for his dominance in racing, Jesus is even more intentional with us. He uses trials to build endurance. He uses moments of quiet to deepen our trust. He shapes you daily, if you let him.
Life Application: Running to Win
If you want to win at life, remember these truths:
Embrace Your Identity - You were made to win not because you're the fastest or look the best, but because you are part of the family of faith.
Lighten Your Load - Identify what's weighing you down—whether sin, distraction, or unnecessary burdens—and strip it off.
Follow Your Trainer - Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, who knows the course and is preparing you for every challenge.
Run Your Race - Focus on the specific path God has set before you, not someone else's track.
Remember, Jesus endured the cross for us so that we can win. You were made to win because He made you to win.