Perseverance. Patience. Long Suffering. Strong. Firm. Steadfast.
These eloquent words often describe the most ugly times in our lives.
But the Bible tells us that after suffering for a little while, God himself will restore us.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Hallelujah. Amen.
This scripture reminds me of breeding, raising, and training horses.
As breeders, we have a plan for each horse before it is even conceived. An exact stud crossed on a particular mare for a specific cross that is sure to result in a magnificent foal.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
As many breeders know, regardless of how hard we work at creating the magic cross, or how much money we invest in preventative care and vet bills-in the end-the result is in God’s hands and His will be done. We pray for a strong, healthy foal but none of us are exempt from experiencing the powerful loss of a foal.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 NIV
Next comes the raising. This stage of life is important because we are teaching these foals how to trust us. We are giving them the foundation for their future endeavors. Whatever they are purposed for in life will be impacted greatly by those initial interactions.
Don’t you know that God feels the same way about us? I can just hear him saying to me those same sentiments I say to my foals, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I love you. I’m your friend. I’m not going to hurt you. I have only the best planned for you.”
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
Now we get in to the exciting part. The training. The first ride on a colt is so monumental to me that it will bring a happy tear to my eye.
After all the trips to the vet to get the foal in utero, the late nights during foaling season, the anxiety stricken days of praying for the youngsters to stay out of trouble in the pasture, and here we are. We made it to the first ride.
So then you ride around for a few minutes basking in how far you’ve come but the sentiments quickly melt away as you find yourself grabbing on for dear life as your sweet foal has turned in to an NFR bucking horse in a matter of seconds. Once the bronc ride is over and you catch your breathe-the thoughts come flooding in- “I’m in over my head, I can’t do this, we have a long way to go.”
The truth is that those thoughts are absolutely right. We are in over our heads. We can’t do this alone. We have a mountain of a journey ahead of us.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Now, it is important to read this verse and really understand what it is saying. I think because it is one of the most popular verses that it is often misconstrued into a different meaning.
We can do all things THROUGH CHRIST. Not through our preacher, our friend, our parents or our horse. A lot of us have to learn this the hard way.
We need Jesus. We need Jesus to help us in everything or else we are just running wild without purpose, without direction, without meaning.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Now we find ourselves in the part of training that requires the most grit and perseverance.
Our love story with our foal has turned in to a scene from Braveheart. Sometimes, he is just looking for a fight. As reality sets in that our foal is now a horse with a mind of his own, we educate and encourage while also trying to build confidence. Every once in a while, he might step out of line and we will have to discipline him but it isn’t with a mean heart, it is because we love him. We care about him and his well being. We want him to be successful and enjoy his career whatever it may be and that requires direction, discipline, and hard work.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 NIV
So here we are. We have prayed our dream through the embryo stage to a wild yearling to a broncy two year old. As a 3 yr old, he has a little more sense about him and he is still an eager mind with a pure heart that is ready and waiting for his purpose in life.
With the next stage of training, comes a more specific job description. We’ve established trust, gained maturity, built our abilities on a solid foundation, and can now be directed for a more specific purpose. I hope you see where I’m going with this.
A lot of us want that specific purpose, God’s call on our life but we want to omit the trust stage, the experiences that make us a more mature Christian, the intimate relationship that will better equip us to follow God’s will in our everyday lives.
Why don’t we want to go through those phases? Because they are hard, they’re uncomfortable, you will find yourselves in situations where you are forced to trust God and that can be scary.
Now you have a well bred 3 year old, he’s broke, healthy, eager to learn and it is time to load him up and take him to town to start the seasoning process. His phenomenal career can’t take flight until he gains some real world experience. As you step up to lead him in the trailer you notice some unusual resistance in the lead rope. You look back to see what he is doing and don’t you know, he is locked up. Not moving. He’s protesting anything and everything that you’ve got planned for him because he’s scared. He doesn’t know that he’s only a trailer ride away from the experiences and education that will turn him in to a world champion. He knows what is comfortable and what is easy but he doesn’t know greatness, he doesn’t know success.
Maybe you are at an ugly stage in your life. Maybe you’re a wild yearling running around without purpose or a broncy 2 year old that thinks he knows best. Maybe you’re an eager heart waiting on your call.
Regardless, I encourage you to stay encouraged. When you have doubts, remember, THROUGH CHRIST. When you think that you know it all, just wait a minute, God will humble you.
Give your heart to the Lord. Trust in HIM. He loves you. He died for you.
Step out of what is comfortable and easy and step up into the trailer of God’s love and forgiveness and allow him to haul you in to your abundant life.
Buckskin Faith 