Everyone and everything was created with passion and purpose. Racehorses were born to run — it’s what fuels them. Just like those horses, many are called, but few are chosen. Many people are called to the race of life, to run a course that seems impossible, but only a few prepare themselves to truly be chosen. What sets the chosen apart isn’t speed, strength, or strategy — it’s heart.
That’s what made Secretariat my favorite racehorse. Against all odds, he defied every expectation. The world doubted him — he was too big, too broad, and came from a lineage that didn’t guarantee greatness. But Secretariat wasn’t defined by what was seen on the outside. He ran with a heart that set him apart. He became a record-breaking thoroughbred and the 1973 Triple Crown winner — one who didn’t just win races but changed the very standard of what greatness looked like.
God is calling you to be set apart too. He’s calling you to run a race that others may not understand — one that will require heart, perseverance, and faith. You might not come from the “right” family, have the best connections, or feel like you have all the right qualifications. Maybe the odds are stacked against you just like they were for Secretariat. But let me tell you — the odds don’t determine your outcome when your heart belongs to God.
The Bible says in 1 Samuel 16:7, “…for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
It was the same with King David. David wasn’t chosen because of his size, experience, or background — he was chosen because of his heart. God called David a man after His own heart, not because he lived perfectly but because he pursued God passionately. David understood that to run his race and fulfill his purpose, he needed a larger heart — one that could be stretched, corrected, and filled with God’s love and wisdom.
In Psalm 119:32, David said, “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” And this heart posture was passed to his son Solomon. The Bible says in 1 Kings 4:29, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.”
When you allow God to enlarge your heart, He increases your capacity — your ability to love deeper, to forgive faster, to lead with compassion, and to carry what He’s called you to do. David accomplished so much, not because he was perfect, but because his heart remained pliable. He knew how to humble himself, repent, and trust in God’s mercy.
So the real question is: what kind of heart do you have? Secretariat had a heart 2.5 times larger than the average horse — that was the secret to his greatness. He could run longer, faster, and stronger because his heart was built differently.
God is searching for hearts like that. The Word says in 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV), “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
Your race isn’t about competition — it’s about calling. Let God enlarge your heart, so you can carry the greatness He’s placed inside you. You were created to run differently. Get ready — God is about to show Himself strong on your behalf.
