Lent 34

I bet on a horse today, sort of. We put in a dollar a race and you drew your horse's name out of a cup rather than picking on your own. It was a just a way to get excited about the race, but I can tell you, it worked. I was super excited about my horse Waracha, #6 with the jockey in an argyle sweater. When Waracha came out cantering to warm up, everyone made fun of my horse and ribbed me about the bet because Waracha was having to be escorted because he was antsy and fighting against his reins. While all the other horses were showing off, cantering with heads held high, my horse was trotting sideways. You know, though? When the gun went off and the race started, Waracha kicked it in gear and took off, straight as can be, a full 4 lengths ahead of the others. When it was all said and done, Waracha didn't win. Another horse pulled ahead, but Waracha ran the race well, despite what everyone thought of him before the whole thing started.

When Jesus selected his disciples who would follow him, he didn't pick the ones who walked well. He didn't pick the desirable ones. He picked from the low class and the unpopular. Jesus didn't pick for status. Jesus used some folks who society didn't really care much about and he worked with them. God has a habit of taking what's broken and using it. It doesn't always shine or win, but God also has a habit of never giving up and never ceasing to love and offer grace.