A Champion

“Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.” ~ Proverbs 23:23

Yesterday I had the fantastic privilege of meeting Charmayne James, the 11 time World Champion Barrel Racer and record-breaking National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee who has earned more championship titles than any other woman in sports history.  Her amazing run with a bridle breaking at a National Finals Rodeo didn’t phase her or her legendary horse, Scamper, a bit as they still ran away with first place.  Scamper blazed across 10 of Charmayne’s 11 World Champion finish lines, going down in history as the best barrel horse of all time.

Even bigger than her name and prestige is the spirit that got her where she is.  Humble, determined, and with a fierce gentleness radiating from her eyes, Charmayne James is a great role model for so many things I want to characterize in my own life.  Her hard work, self-discipline, and care for her horses are definitely worth the title of Champion.  She says her confidence came from all the hard work she poured in every day and from the love and relationship she had with her horses.  She knew they’d give her their very best.

Like her, I want to have the wisdom to ask questions and seek to learn from others how I can best care for my horses, to have the discipline and diligence to get out and put the sweat equity into my dreams, and to grow in understanding and determination to do my best and always improve my game.  Sometimes I’m tempted to quit as the lies pound against my efforts, telling me that I’ll surely fail.  But Charmayne says emphatically, “Don’t be afraid to fail because you’re gonna learn from your mistakes!”

This sounds a whole lot like an echo reminding me that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7)  As His children, we are more than conquerors.  In Christ, we are Champions at the work He has given us to do… if we do not loose heart!  I think God often expects of me a fierceness in my spirit that makes me determined to press on.

We’ve got one run at this life.  I want to give it my all.