When the Trumpet Sounds
Are you feeling ready to walk away from a relationship – are you possibly even considering divorce? We want to pray for you.
“Are you the one who gave the horse his prowess and adorned him with a shimmering mane? Did you create him to prance proudly and strike terror with his royal snorts? He paws the ground fiercely, eager and spirited, then charges into the fray. He laughs at danger, fearless, doesn’t shy away from the sword. The banging and clanging of quiver and lance don’t faze him. He quivers with excitement and at the trumpet blast races off at a gallop” (Job 39:19-24).
These days there is a lot to choose from at local theatres, but few films worth watching, let alone any with redeeming value. One I saw this week is the exception and one every person of all ages should go to see. It contains not a single inappropriate word and weaves a story of wholesome value.
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What’s more, it is a true story and one based on Job 39:19-24. When Penny Chenery found herself over her head trying to save her parents’ horse farm, she gave it her all and placed her hopes on a young colt named after her father’s secretary. Against all odds and the advice of others who had greater knowledge of the industry, she stood by her plan and had faith in her horse. It even put her at odds with her family and caused friction in her marriage.
But it all came together as Penny stood with her husband and her children, her brother and her trainer as they watched her horse break away and win the final race of the Triple Crown by thirty one lengths. Secretariat raced into history as arguably the greatest horse in racing history.
The film has a lot of lessons for life and they all come from Job 39:
* If you are going to run, you have to have the will to win.
* It’s not how you start, but how you finish that counts. Winners
are those who know how to never give up and come from behind as they approach the finish line.
* You will never know how far or how fast you can run until you try.
* Too many people quit too early and never find their full potential.
* How many times are you willing to fail and then get a foothold
before scaling the mountain?
* You have to believe in yourself, but also believe in your owner.
* Burn your failures, not your dreams. Learn from yesterday but
focus on tomorrow.
The God who created “Big Red” is the same God who created you and me. He created our “shimmering mane” and made us to “prance proudly.” We too can be fearless and laugh at danger, because we were created by and serve an awesome God. We too can quiver with excitement about life and when the trumpet blasts, race off at a gallop. With our focus on the God who made us and the Lord who owns us we can run the race of life with endurance, overcoming obstacles and meeting difficulties head on.
When the trumpet sounds, we too can be out of the gate and race into history. We all need to live the life God uniquely created us to live.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Are your dreams big enough?
Questions: Are you living up to your full potential? Have you given up before the race is finished? What have you done with your failures…your dreams?
About the Author John Grant
@Rebekah, I’m glad thia article helped you and I myself pointed out that it was a good article. My only purpose for commenting about the swear words was that he stated in his article above:
It contains not a single inappropriate word and weaves a story of wholesome value.
I just felt it necessary to point this out to parents who take that to be true. As Christians, we are required to stay away from harmful things and true enough we see plenty of garbage a grocery store, Wal-mart etc. I wasn’t implying people should not see the movie, just a word of warning to those with children viewing the movie and those who find it offensive as Christians to pay to hear someone swearing. Just my opinion.
I was praying very specifically yesterday about what I should do about a “big dream” I have. I’ve been wondering whether I should just give it up and move home. I asked for clear direction and guidance, and that God would speak to me in such a way that I would know it was His answer, and not my own plan. This article spoke to everything I prayed about!!!! God is so good. The “failures”, time commitments, etc…were all making me ponder the idea of walking away – of doing something more comfortable. Praise God for answering my prayers through this article. I don’t want or need to give up before my race is finished. Too much of my time has been spent on “should haves” and regret, that I haven’t been able to “learn from yesterday but focus on tomorrow” as the author says. I’ve been focused on yesterday and giving up on tomorrow. I absolutely needed to read this today.
That said, picking apart the movie he referenced is taking away from the power of what he’s saying, and undermining the truths that he highlighted. You’ll hear much worse going to the grocery store, and the values represented in the movie, and the realism that sometimes people lose their cool make it not only a worthwhile watch, but a relatable one as well.
This is an outstanding article, referencing one of the Best movies ever made to the Word of God. The leadership lessons in this movie, are well worth learning and applying to our own lives. This movie also Has FAITH written all the way through it. Thank you for blessing us with your insights and talents.
Sorry, I typed that wrong, it’s http://www.pluggedinonline.com.
According to http://www.pluggeinonline.com, there are 2 uses of the “h” word and 2 misuses of God’s name. Some would say it’s no big deal, but is it?
I like your article, but should point out that the trainer does lose his temper in one scene and a four letter inappropriate word (“h” word) does come out of his mouth. I was surprised by this and found that the people I was watching it with (fellow Christians) were not even bothered by this. It did bother me. Just wanted to point out that there is that scene.
Hi Ndanatsei,
Loved what you said about “seeking the giver and not chasing after the blessing”. Really wise words. Thanks for the encouragement today…something I really needed to read. May God continue to work in you as you seek Him, may He work in your life in mighty ways as you continue to surrender to His will. He certainly is working through you today with what you have shared with us.
Over the past few months i have been feeling luck i have jumped off the horse of success and failed my career, my husband and even God Himself. But i made a decision last Monday to rededicate my life to Him. I put my needs aside and decided to seek first His Kingdom. Ever since i took the decision i realised that God started working within my life again. I got a job again and i can plan for my lifeI have just noticed that a life led by God is the only one which can lead me into realising my full potential. I am on the horse of success again and i am seeking the giver and not chasing after the blessing itself. God is the custodian of all the things i desire and my duty is to surrender my all to Him and let Him take the lead role in my life.