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Friday, October 07, 2005
Wild Horses
I tend to have very bad luck whenever I go horseback riding. I don't own a horse. I don't know anyone that owns horses that would let me ride them. And now that I've put it on this blog I'm aware the one guy I do know that owns a horse won't let me ride his now that he knows I have bad luck with them.
See, I have to rent my horses. It usually happens on vacation and it looks like we'll have a good time as a family or whatever, and I go to some place that does this all day, every day, pay some money, and go riding. I mean, these horses are pretty much trained to go on whatever path I pay for and stay in a straight line.
One time when I was a kid, my cousins were in town so we took them to the local state park that provided horseback riding. My horse veered off the path and walked right into a creek about three feet deep and started drinking water. Fine. I'd wait until he finished and then we'd go. Well, being an Alabama summer, he stayed put after he finished. The guide had to come in and he still wouldn't budge. I had to jump in, get my pants wet, let the guide kick him until he got out of there...and then I had to ride all the way back to the stable with the guide leading me.
Another time, I was in Holland (of all places) and we went riding. Everything was going along fine when my horse got "spooked" by the sunlight hitting off some aluminum foil that someone had left as trash and took off running as fast as he could for about 50 yards. I was pulling on the reins as hard as I could but he was really scared. So was I. The guide chasing after me was yelling something in Dutch, which was of no use due to my high speed...and the reality that I don't know a lick of Dutch. My heart rate was up pretty good by the time the horse regained his senses and stopped.
But in each case, the little 6 inch bit and bridle was the key to solving the problem. With the bit in the horses mouth and the bridle on him, you have a certain amount of ability to get the horse to do what you want it to do. To get the horse out of the water, the trained guide simply pulled with more and more force until the horse was so uncomfortable he had to go. In the second case, the horse was getting my terrified resistance by pulling back as hard as I could. The guide later told me that's exactly what I was supposed to do...and the only way I could stop a horse that weighed 10 times as much as me.
The bit and bridle. Very subtle. Very powerful.
Like in the 2nd half of Psalm 32:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse of the mule which have no understanding. Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check. Otherwise, they will not come near to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked. But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous ones, and shout for joy all you who are upright in heart."
See, God has instructions. They teach us the various paths in life we should take. And, truth be known, we choose thousands of paths everyday. God counsels us as a father who is watching a child cross the street by themselves. He gives the child certain amounts of freedom, but then he is there to really keep it from getting out of control.
Because this is true, we have a choice to make. We can follow the paths or be a 2,000 pound behemoth with the power to do what we want to do. Follow our own wishes...whether to stand in the water or bolt as fast as we want.
But the 2,000 pound behemoth forgets there is a rider. And a bit in his mouth. A trained rider will have little problem controlling a horse's actions.
Besides, it's for our own good. Our own sin has sorrows built right in. Usually those are called consequences...which could range in seriousness from throwing up to cirrosis of the liver.
But those who choose the path experience the loyal love God has for us. It's a beautiful existence, too. I've seen some pretty cool stuff on horseback, too. Very nice views on very nice days.
And the result of experiencing God's love: Joy. In this case, shouting because you have it.
So, for today, I'm wondering what you think about JOY as it's played out in your local church? What does that look like on a week-in, week-out basis?
Brent 3:42 AM
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