Even When Last, Can Still Win

I find the Kentucky Derby to be one of the most exhilarating and fascinating events on the sports calendar. My young daughters, my wife, and I all gathered around to watch these beautiful horses compete in a thrilling race around the track. It's two minutes of intensity, cheering, and anticipation.

We were caught off guard and surprised when, all of a sudden, Golden Tempo bolted to the middle of the track on the final stretch and quickly made it past his opponents to win the Kentucky Derby!

It was an epic comeback and a remarkable story, considering he had 23-1 odds to win and, entering the final turns, he found himself in last place. That's a normal spot for him to be in, as he's finished last or second to last in many of his previous races.

Dan Wolken on Yahoo Sports described the race this way: "The stretch run from Golden Tempo was, in a few words, impossible to believe. As the pack entered the final turns, Golden Tempo wasn’t in view of the leaders." 

"As the pack entered the stretch, the 3-year-old had moved up to 13th in the 18-horse race, but still seemingly out of contention. But Ortiz (his jockey) drove through traffic deftly, then found a lane on the outside straight to victory, edging out Renegade at the wire."

Although many would consider him "too far back" to win the race, he reminded everyone that any horse out there on the track can find their way to victory.

The design of the Kentucky Derby is to give every horse at least an opportunity to win. Even if some horses are positioned better and are more likely to win, the Kentucky Derby desires for races to be competitive and for each horse to have a chance to win.

Every horse that enters a race has the opportunity to win, and regardless of how flawed some horses, trainers, or jockeys may be or how discredited they are, it's still possible for them to find a way to win.

God's design for us has a parallel worth unpacking today.

According to 1 Timothy 2:4-6 (NLT), He "...wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time."

Anyone can find victory in Christ because He died in our place and rose again so that everyone, through Him, would have the opportunity to live. 

Jesus said in John 14:6, "'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"

Although many will reject Him, He desires for all of us to know Him, and we can have the hope that victory is available to all of us.

Even for those who seem "impossible to believe," or out of "contention," or far from God, they can still "find a lane on the outside straight to victory," or the path that leads to salvation through Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) tells us, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

It might "surprise us or catch us off guard" when someone "all of a sudden bolts" toward Jesus, but we give all glory to God when it happens.

We are all given the chance to “win” through Jesus, and regardless of how flawed we may be or how much others discredit us, victory and salvation are still possible for everyone.  

Even if someone only "takes the lead" in the final moments, nobody is "too far back" but can turn toward Jesus and find everlasting life. 

Today, let's remember that Jesus came for everyone and anyone, and nobody is too far gone or stuck in "last place" because of their past, their sins, or their current position.

Let's be encouraged not to give up on anyone who doesn't yet know Jesus because victory and grace are still attainable, and hope is always there.

Let's be encouraged by these powerful words from Titus 2:11-14 (NLT): "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.

“We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

“He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving someone as flawed as me, for the victory I have in Jesus, and for the life You've given me both now and for eternity. Please show me the people You want me to share Your hope and victory with. Everyone indeed needs You, and You've made it possible for anyone to know You. So, please help me remember that. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.