Eddie Arcaro, one of the greatest jockeys in horse race history, rode 250 losers before he won his first race. Ultimately, Arcaro won 4,779 races including five Derby winners, six in the Preakness, and six in the Belmont Stakes. Eddie rode in 24,092 races… winning 4,779… which means he lost 19,313 times. One of the greatest jockeys in history LOST 19,313 times! He lost 81% of his races… and is considered great!
How many times have you failed… or felt like you’ve failed… and wanted to quit or give up? What if after the 100th… 175th… 200th… or 250th loss Eddie decided not to get on another horse? Listen! I don’t care if you messed up and made mistakes that CAUSED your failure(s). I don’t care how many times you’ve failed because that is not PROOF you will fail the next time you try again! I really don’t care what anyone else says about you or how they evaluate your past calling you a failure!!
Truth: You cannot mess up your life, and neither can anyone else, to the point of God not being able to use you for His glory! Consider what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:3-5…
With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Some people say changing direction is quitting, it’s not. Some say leaving one thing to do another is quitting, it isn’t. As long as you are seeking to honor God and glorify Him in whatever you do, you have not quit NOR HAVE YOU FAILED. Winning and success in God’s eyes is one word: Obedience.
It is written in Galatians 6:9-10, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
There are different ways to measure success. Just getting up and getting on the “horse” everyday is a measure of success. God is our Judge! We should take the word “failure” out of our vocabulary. Thanks you for this reminder to keep pressing on toward the goal…I needed that.
Great encouragement!! Must keep persevering!