Out Our Way:

THE GOSPEL

ACCORDING TO GOLIATH

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where He prayed.  Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him they exclaimed, “ Everyone is looking for you!”   Jesus replied, “ Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also.  That is why I have come.”   So He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in the synagogues, and driving out demons.”

Mark 1: 35 – 39

Out our way, although they are very fond of them, few ranchers keep horses around as pets. Usually a good horse works for its living — and a really good one is expensive, but worth every penny.  Every once in a while you do see someone mistreating or not caring for their trail buddy — but not the real deal folks. They know that good feed, water, and care are important if they expect to get the most from their horse. If you have ever had to chase an unruly pair … or herd some wild eyed youngster that seems to have managed to lose what little cow sense the Good Lord has provided, you appreciate the fact your horse is in shape and ready for the task at hand. If some old bull is on the fight, you don’t want a broken down nag with sore feet who can’t get you out of the way!

It is a simple and ought to be obvious fact that a good worker takes care of his or her tools, whether they are the kind you keep in the shop of the kind you keep in the stable. To do otherwise is not only wasteful and foolish, but also downright stupid.  And stupid people don’t make it for long as ranchers, farmers, mechanics, or anything else. Horses, four-wheelers, tractors, seeders, sewing machines and quality cookware are not status symbols, but tools of the trade. If you have a job to do, you want the right tools for the job, and you take care of them.

Now this is true of the disciple as well as the carpenter  — and in today’s text we are reminded of two primary principles of good discipleship … . Keep your “tools” in shape — and don’t be afraid to use them to get the job done.   As a disciple, a follower and servant of Christ, your “heart, soul, and mind” are all critical tools of “the trade.” Just as the athlete has to train and get in shape for the game, so the disciple has to take the time to train and prepare and hone his or her talents as a servant of Christ. But unlike the linebacker or wide receiver in the NFL, game time is nearly ALL the time.  There is no set time and place — but the “race must be run and won” daily — at almost any time and any place. There is no pre-game warm up, no—time to suit up or psych up before the kickoff.   Its game time ALL the time! The ball is in play NOW!

Like herding cows, discipleship is not convenient or on or schedule. There are no time outs — once you accept Christ as Lord, you have saddled and stepped up. Your on, bro!  They opened the gate, Sis! And just as calves seem to pick the worst time to be born, (the coldest night in February at 3 in the morning seems a favorite) there is nothing convenient about when the Lord’s work needs to be done.   When you signed up, you gave up such luxuries.

So you learn to find the time to prepare, to get your tools polished and greased, your rope flexed, your saddle soaped.   That is what prayer is all about: that is when we take care of the tools in our toolbox. That’s when we feed and water the soul, curry the hair and check the hooves. If we don’t make time for maintenance   of the heart, mind and soul — we will go sour.  If that was true for Jesus, then surely it is even more true for us.

Jesus made time for prayer — time to check in with God — time to feed, water, curry and groom his soul.    Is it any wonder so many of us find our faith t be worn out, game legged nags instead of snuffy and fiery quarter horses ready to take on any and all contenders?   You don’t take care of your horse in cattle country; you won’t keep up or be of much use to the brand. You get lazy or indifferent about your soul, the same thing happens in the spiritual world.  The Boss expects better from those who ride for His brand. Those who don’t bother to be ready don’t stay on the payroll long.

The other thing is that while it is cool and fun to wear the hat, the chaps, maybe even have some spurs that jingle-jangle-jingle … drug store cowboys are a dime a dozen. The real deal isn’t satisfied with just looking the part — he or she is judged by how well they do the job. Stetson or ball cap, it’s what you do that matters when the time comes. No “bunkhouse” cowboys need apply when the Boss is hiring. He’s looking for workers.

When Charlie and I rode round up a few years ago, the boss and his crew with their quads had brought in much of the herd, but he wasn’t satisfied with getting a few or even most of them…he wanted them all. Charlie and Jet, Goliath and I, could go where the quads couldn’t — and we picked up at least 50 more pair hiding away in the arroyos and gullies where the quads hadn’t been able to go. The big crew brought in over 200 head, but the biggest cheer was for Charlie and me bringing in the rest. God doesn’t want any strays left behind either, and so He is not satisfied with just a big crowd in the big town — he wants ‘em all. So notice that Jesus leads the disciples out of the “successful and momentary fame of Capernaum” and goes forth to the small villages to continue the work. They, too, need the Gospel.

Maybe your sanctuary is filled to overflowing and the numbers of attendees each week is impressive. But the round up isn’t over for these are not yet the full herd. If we ride for the brand we know our work isn’t done, and we still need to go out into the hills, and canyons and far corners of the pasture to look for the rest.

Jesus wasn’t satisfied with  “much” or even “ most” — not while there are still strays out there.  It’s not time for the bunkhouse yet, folks. We still have work to do.

(Brother John, Scout and Goliath can be reached at [email protected]. Weekly columns, sermons and Bruin Town Tales are available at havrepres.org.)