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a broken spirit running with blinders... conditioned for His prize Jesus is all I need.  I really do believe this.  But sometimes I forget and do not live like it.  I stress over the big things, the little things... everything!  I fear and worry.  I want, and want, and want.  But if I were to be honest with myself, I rarely ever find myself in need.  I mean really hard-core NEED!  For God always supplies, doesn't He?  Maybe not exactly the way I want Him to.  Maybe not in the timing I'd expect or in the method I'd prefer... but He always comes through.  He always protects, always cares, always gives.  God always loves me.  What an incredible Master who loves His servant more than the life of His own Son.  Who freely offers full adoption into His household and knights those who believe in Him with every blessing and title attached to His Mighty Name.  Astounding.

What really matters is being close to Jesus.  Being near Him.  Staying open to receive His boundless love, and banking on His hopeful future.  Learning and obeying His Word.  Seeking Him in every circumstance.  I know this.  And yet, too often I find myself stuck in a self-made prison of doubt, fear, defeat.  I forget His higher Ways as I focus on my lower worries.  Why?  Because the enemy distracts my eyes away from God's vision.  Rather than give thanks for every gift, I set my short-term sight on greed, lust, pride.  Ugh, pride.  My pride pushes me to look away from God and toward false comforts and fake promises.  And I love me my comforts.  For the sake of comfort, I have bought into so many fake promises "guaranteeing" safety, security, fullness, peace.  But without God, there can be no peace.  So, inevitably I stumble in my selfishness.  I fall down and feel my heart break once again for my Creator, my Savior, my Teacher, my Redeemer.

Some horses must wear blinders.  Blinders are a pair of small screens attached to a horse's bridle to prevent it from seeing sideways or behind.  Many astute riders depend on blinders to keep a horse on-track, on-course, on-point.  It channels a horse's vision and cuts down on the scope of their natural sight, producing a potent effect on an anxious horse accustom to seeing and reacting to everything that is around him.  Not every horse runs with blinders, mind you.  Some are more developed and inclined to block out distracting sights and sounds.  I, however, am not such a horse.  I am easily distracted, it seems, at every twist and turn.  In fact, I am quite capable of slowing down and wandering off my intended course.  Because of this, I need the blinders of Christ's Spirit protecting my eyes.  I need to solely focus on the restoration and joy of His salvation.  I must willingly rejoice in His unfailing love without compromise.  For I cannot run my best without His veil of peace over me.  I cannot win this race without His compassion and help.  I cannot live pure, or steadfast, or justified without Jesus's Name clothing my whole being... my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Only with Him guiding me forward, will I win.  His Way is all that matters.  He is all I need.

My natural sight easily paves a path into sin.  Alone, I am corrupt, lost.  But my new life and vision in Christ exposes the full and complete compassion and love of Jesus.  He gives.  He provides.  He loves.  He conditions me for MORE!  In His Name, I am a running purebred with a broken spirit.  So today, my sacrifice, O God, is a broken contrite heart that You will not despise.  Today, I choose to run with Your blinders on so that I might be trained to win.  Please keep me focused and thankful, dear Lord.  Stay close to me and help me to overcome because You already overcame!  Yes, help this old mare to run well, run hard, run deliberate, and run with full vigor and thankfulness in order to glorify Your perfect Name.  For all I really need is YOU leading me!

All I really need forever is Jesus!!!


