And they were off! The camels had lined up then shot out of their position, zooming down the track in the lanky, oddly graceful, gate of a racing camel.
Yes, this was my Saturday entertainment the other weekend--camel races. My toddler thought it was awesome getting off the ranch and seeing some new faces. I felt like I'd taken her to the zoo. She had no fear of strangers and instead watched everyone with avid curiosity as if she wanted to say, "This is way better than Sesame Street." My husband and I looked forward to the event because besides the horse races and the rodeo, camel races was the only major attraction sported in the local little town down here in the outback of Australia. I think we were looking forward to seeing some new faces too.
Well, it was the second race I think when the announcer eagerly informed us that a jockey had come off his galloping beast. (That has to be a harder fall than off a horse--those camels are tall.) And, after all the camels had rallied beyond the finish line, one lost-looking camel, riderless, came into view. He had no chance of winning the race. Not only was he disqualified for loosing his jockey, he also had lost his drive and passion for making good time down the track.
No guidance. No eager nudging in the right direction. No helpful hints on how to pass the camel up ahead. No encouragement to give more than what he wanted to comfortably give.
I know that as a Christian devoted to my awesome God I should have Him in the driver's seat everything I do. I see such a pattern in my life. Those days that I rise, spend precious moments in prayer, commit my time and passion and love to His will...those are the days that I am productive, peaceful, and happy. But, when I shrug off God and settle into my own route, I rarely end up finishing the day where I pictured I would be.
So, I'm a camel. But that is ok. Like a said, they were oddly graceful and I know my grace can only come from God.
Yes, this was my Saturday entertainment the other weekend--camel races. My toddler thought it was awesome getting off the ranch and seeing some new faces. I felt like I'd taken her to the zoo. She had no fear of strangers and instead watched everyone with avid curiosity as if she wanted to say, "This is way better than Sesame Street." My husband and I looked forward to the event because besides the horse races and the rodeo, camel races was the only major attraction sported in the local little town down here in the outback of Australia. I think we were looking forward to seeing some new faces too.
Well, it was the second race I think when the announcer eagerly informed us that a jockey had come off his galloping beast. (That has to be a harder fall than off a horse--those camels are tall.) And, after all the camels had rallied beyond the finish line, one lost-looking camel, riderless, came into view. He had no chance of winning the race. Not only was he disqualified for loosing his jockey, he also had lost his drive and passion for making good time down the track.
No guidance. No eager nudging in the right direction. No helpful hints on how to pass the camel up ahead. No encouragement to give more than what he wanted to comfortably give.
I know that as a Christian devoted to my awesome God I should have Him in the driver's seat everything I do. I see such a pattern in my life. Those days that I rise, spend precious moments in prayer, commit my time and passion and love to His will...those are the days that I am productive, peaceful, and happy. But, when I shrug off God and settle into my own route, I rarely end up finishing the day where I pictured I would be.
So, I'm a camel. But that is ok. Like a said, they were oddly graceful and I know my grace can only come from God.
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