The Race

The 4^th of July is a date marked on many calendars as it is the date on which one of the biggest events in the horse racing takes place. It is a day of glamour and glitz for spectators. It was first known as the Durban Winter Handicap in 1897. In 1928 it became the Durban July handicap, later the Rothmans July Handicap and it is now known as the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A race that tests both rider and horse. For the past 130 years jockeys have demonstrated their ability to control horses. It demands skill, precision. stamina, tactical ability and determination to keep finding more, when the pressure is on.

Another race that tests the ability of man to compete in a race, just took place two weeks earlier on the 13-14^th of June this year. This was the Le Mans 24-hour race at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. What these two championships have in common is the ability of the rider and driver to endure.

The Le Mans is a 24-hour car race which not only tests the driving skills of the racers, but their perseverance. It is not like every other race; it is the ultimate race of endurance. The real-life story of a young man from Wales in the UK was so moving that it inspired playwriters Jason Hall and Zach Baylin to bring his life story to the movie screens. From a young age Jann Mardenborough dreamt of being a racer. Despite his father’s disapproval, he did not give up on his dream. His life as a racer was not without its challenges. Supported by his instructor he, despite major setbacks that would have stopped most people, continued with his dream.  

In the final race on the Le Mans track, the movie beautifully expresses how this young driver, struggled to leave the ghosts of the past behind. His instructor’s words were, “You are in this race, whether you like it or not, now get into the fight”, These words inspired this young racer to press ahead, and dramatized for the movie, win the Le Mans.

The words of David Harbour, the instructor in the movie, echoed those of Paul in the New Testament, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13. Paul was not referring to a sporting event, he was referring to faith in Christ.

Paul also encouraged Timothy to continue in the faith. He compared it to a fight and a race, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

In contrast to the trophies that are awarded at sporting events, believers who fight the good fight of faith and who endures to the end, will receive the imperishable crown of life. “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable wreath”, 1 Corinthians 9:25.

In the words of Paul let us run the race with endurance always looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. He endured the cross, despised the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne. 

The race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong, Ecclesiastes 9:11.