Qualified to Run

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You"- Psalm 39:7 (NIV).

Romans 8:25 says those who have hope, wait with patience. I've been working on patience for a long time. I watched the movie Secretariat (you should see it if you haven't). Each time the magnificent thoroughbred went into the starting gate, he snorted and pawed the ground, anxious for the gate to swing open and the race to begin. That's how I feel in many situations; I'm anxiously waiting for "whatever" to begin. My husband mentioned my anxiety level being noticeable, waiting for the recent 5K to begin, once we got to the starting line. I was all but running in place as we waited; literally pawing the ground like Secretariat. It's not just a mental thing; it's also physical. You ache to begin. Secretariat's jockey would stroke his mane and neck while they waited in the starting gate. My "Jockey" is the Lord Jesus. When I turn to Him, He "strokes" me as I wait, calming me down. God is my Hope and I wait on Him in this heavenward race. I can't run, nor win, this race without my Jockey, just as Secretariat would have been disqualified without his jockey. With hope and patience, our Jockey will get us across the finish line in perfect timing. Without Him, we're disqualified from the race...and the prize.