Monday, May 16, 2022

A Long Shot

Rich Strike is America’s horse. Who didn’t love seeing Rich Strike, the second-longest shot ever to score in the Derby, win the whole thing? He showed up the day before because of a last-minute scratch.

The definition of a long shot is “an entry (as in a horse race) given little chance of winning.” Rich Strike was a long shot.

What is it about seeing the long shot for this race become the winner? Maybe you’ve seen the ariel view of the Derby? Rich Strike was dramatically weaving his way from the back of the pack to the memorable victory! I’ve watched it over and over, mesmerized by his move toward the front. Hearing the announcer, seconds before the race ends, exclaim “Rich Strike is coming up on the inside! Oh, my goodness! The longest shot has won the Kentucky Derby!”  The improbability of it all! Who would have dreamed?

Perhaps this story stirs us all. Is it when something so impossible becomes a reality that we respond in wonder and awe? Have we stopped believing in the impossible?

My mind embraces a greater reality when I read Matthew 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’" We tend to live in terms of what our human minds can comprehend. We forget that God is God and "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think… " (Ephesians 3:20)

There’s nothing that our God can’t do. I really believe that. I believe a vital prayer life is a key to believing this. I have in my prayer journal a section I call “Only God” prayers. “Only God” prayers are where I plead with God, beg with God, and basically ask God to do what only God to do. It feels impossible, but it's not. Real-time talk: These are my long-shot prayers. I will NOT stop believing that God can do these things. I will NOT stop praying about these things.  

Maybe you have some long-shot prayers? A medical miracle. Revitalizing a marriage. Healing from addiction. Overcoming depression and anxiety. Relational healing. Bringing good out of bad. No longer living in fear. Providing finances out of nowhere. Years of infertility and getting pregnant. God longs for you to come to Him with your “only God” prayers.

When God does what only He can do, it changes us. Yes, us. We look with awe and wonder and worship our God as we see this amazing impossibility happen! Our view of God grows. It changes what we seek. We’re no longer wishing and hoping for something out there in the universe to happen. Instead, we live in a radical relationship with a holy God who always has His best in mind for us. We can trust God to do what He says He will do.

Take a listen:
(There’s Nothing Our God Can’t Do, Live from Passion, 2020)

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

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