Remembering Secretariat
A Divine Message of Hope
You know, sometimes God speaks to us in the most unexpected ways. Let me tell you about this incredible experience I had recently.
I was visiting Aunt Mimi and Uncle Harry in New Jersey for their 40th wedding anniversary. We were all gathered around the TV because the Kentucky Derby was about to start. I've always loved watching horses run, there's something so majestic about them, moving the way God intended.
Right before the race, Uncle Harry casually mentioned something that caught my attention. He said, "Did you know that all 19 horses in this race are descendants of Secretariat?"
I was stunned. What are the chances, right? Nineteen horses, all from one legendary bloodline. And then when the race finished, I couldn't help but smile at the results, Sovereignty had won over a horse named Journalism. It felt like God was winking at me, saying, "Yes, I am sovereign over everything, including these times where journalism often peddles lies and propaganda."
That night as I was falling asleep, I felt this gentle whisper in my spirit: "Go watch the movie Secretariat." It was so clear! When I got back home to Chicago, I immediately downloaded it. And you wouldn't believe how the movie opens, with this powerful passage straight from Bible in the book of Job 39:19-24:
"Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with its proud snorting? It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, and charges into the fray. It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against its side, along with the flashing spear and lance. In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds."
As I listened to those beautiful words, I felt so grateful for the book of Job. I've always related to him, a man who gained so much, lost it all, and then gained even more. Scripture calls him a friend of God. Despite his immense suffering, Job remained righteous and devoted. His relationship with God was built on trust, obedience, and a deep understanding of God's ways.
The next morning, I felt compelled to learn everything I could about Secretariat. There was something supernatural about this horse that had captured my attention. I discovered that Secretariat's lineage was remarkable too, his father was aptly named Bold Rulerand his mother was Somethingroyal. Even his bloodline spoke of majesty and nobility! Throughout the day, I listened to sports writers, fans, and newscasters talk about this extraordinary animal.
One thing struck me, everyone who met Secretariat was completely captivated by him. Many were even brought to tears just being in his presence! This horse knew how to pose for cameras. He loved running and eating. And get this, his heart was physically enormous, weighing 22 pounds when most thoroughbreds' hearts are only about 8 pounds. That's what gave him such incredible stamina and speed. He's actually the only horse named as a top athlete of the 20th century, ranked above legends like Mickey Mantle, Billie Jean King, and Julius Erving.
As I was taking in all these facts, I felt God speak to my heart: "You know, Noreen, I was in that horse! My sheer presence can bring people to tears and to their knees. There are no barriers for me. Don't limit your thinking! You know I can do anything."
It reminded me how differently God thinks and speaks compared to our limited human minds. I'm not even remotely close to God's brilliant intellect. That's why I need the Bible, to help me understand the language of Heaven. And we all need the Holy Spirit to help us interpret the Scriptures.
God highlighted for me that there were 19 horses in the 151st Kentucky Derby. I felt Him nudging me to explore the biblical significance of this number. In Scripture, 19 is associated with extraordinary faith and the incarnation of God the Son. It appears in several contexts, the number of cities in Naphtali's territory (Joshua 19:38), men killed in battle, and the 19th year of a king's reign. Many scholars believe the number 19 represents the second person of the Trinity, symbolizing both Christ's humanity and divinity.
Here's a deeper look:
• Extraordinary faith: The number 19 connects to the individuals listed in the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews 11, highlighting faith beyond ordinary bounds.
• Incarnation: Many Christians interpret 19 as representing Jesus Christ and His incarnation, the perfect union of divine and human nature.
What really moves me is how Secretariat united our country during such a divided time. Remember, this was the era of Watergate, the Vietnam War, and crushing inflation. But this horse gave people HOPE, a break from all the heavy burdens we weren't designed to carry.
In many races, Secretariat would start out in last place but come on strong to win. But at the Belmont Stakes, he broke all patterns, he burst out in front and never looked back, winning by an astonishing 31 lengths! Every time I watch that race footage, I cry. I see God in that horse, only He could give a creature such power and speed. To this day, no horse has beaten his time. It was a divine moment when God used a horse to unite people in an extraordinary way.
So be encouraged to run YOUR race! As Hebrews 12:1 tells us, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus."
Remember, having your name in the Book of Life means you've already WON!
In this life, you'll face setbacks, we all do. But with GOD, setbacks are just signs of a great divine setup. When you're with Him, you can't lose! That's what I call WINNING!
With all my love, Mom
