Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Twiggy came to us a skittish underweight two-year-old. Our first priority was her weight. The second was helping her become comfortable around humans.

Each morning when I entered the stall to feed her, Twiggy would stand in the far corner afraid. So, I changed tactics. I opened the door and waited. When she realized I wasn’t coming in, she took a few steps toward me. Every morning she came closer and closer until she began taking a mouthful of feed from the bucket. Finally, I was able to reach out and stroke her neck.

Fast forward nine months in the field with Susie, a thirty-year-old who loves attention, Twiggy has come to learn the wind in the trees isn’t so scary. Dogs can be fun. A person coming in the stall is normal activity. And if there is a problem the human will fix it.

She still has a long way to go. She isn’t broken, yet. She doesn’t know what a burden feels like. But she will. For only when she submits to a master can she be a useful horse.

It won’t be easy. But who said life was easy or fair? Life is what you make of it walking hand in hand with the Lord. Twiggy, just like me, has the choice to submit.

At first, she will fight the rope, hate the saddle, preferring to prance and run free. But hopefully, she will come to see there is freedom in submission. The Master honestly does know best.  And when we lay aside our need for control, we find His yoke is easy and His burden light.

Yesterday, I watched Twiggy as she ran the field, gaining speed, slowing down, whirling around trees, and stopping for a breath—her movements graceful and precise. (She has all four feet off the ground!)

It reminded me of the race we’re running. Some days we gain speed. Others we navigate the obstacles. And still other days, we pause to catch our breath. Yet, there is joy along the way if we know where the joy can be found.

To find that joy we must learn to cast our cares aside. Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. Submit everything to the Master.

The secret: It takes love for the master before we can submit. Without love, we will always fight for control.

Finally, realize life is more exciting if we keep our eyes on the joy before us and bask in His light until we reach home.

This race is too short to run it alone. Invite the Lord along and watch how weightless you will begin to feel.