Out Our Way: God's remuda - John 15:16-17

Choosing the right horse for the job is important. Back in the day of the big trail drives, every cowhand had a string of horses, most of which were selected for their particular talents. Some horses were best for roping, while others were better for cutting out mavericks and new calves for the branding. Some had the agility and speed to chase down, corner, block and turn stubborn steers back to the herd when they bolted. Some horses had a special gift for night herding, and, of course, some were chosen for their stamina, being able work the long hours of pushing cows. Now, of course, the trail drives are largely a thing of the past — but one still has to choose the right horse.

As many of you may recall, Doc was raised in the Bear Paws around cattle and had a good deal more cow sense than I did. Our county park is leased out every year to local ranchers and it is free range. With few fences and cattle guards, cows can drift and wander throughout the area. Come roundup time, they tend to be scattered. So a lot of folk come out at roundup to scour the hills, valleys, arroyos and stands of timber and start bringing them in.

Now, a friend of mine, whose family homesteaded that area, invited me to go up and camp there from time to time, and with permission from the rest of the family scattered about the area, I often did. So it was one glorious fall day I ran across some pairs that had strayed off from the main herd and needed to be pushed out of the tree stands and out to the road here others would herd them down to the loading pens some three miles back. Doc knew what to do. Though not a cutting horse, he had cow sense and anticipated the cows’ moves, circling, blocking, and turning the cows and calves back to the road. He did this without much input from me, for working cows was sort of bred into him and one of his gifts.

Now my other horse, Babe, was a beautiful sorrel paint who had a smooth gait that I believe one could sip tea and read the paper in the saddle at full gallop without spilling a drop. A great ride, but a terrible cow horse — being raised in a paddock, she had no knowledge of cattle and was terrified of even young calves. A great horse for pleasure riding but not for working cows. Yet she could be with time and her comfortable gait, speed and agility could make her a valuable part of my” string.” She just isn’t there yet.

Now, the Apostle Paul wrote of the community of faith being the living Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). He noted that, in God’s remuda, there are many different folks, each with their special gifts and talents. The gifts vary, but all are needed for the “Roundup.” And it is the “roundup” that matters. Sometimes a good cowhorse like Doc is needed — sometimes a smooth ride and fast pony like Babe is needed. Both have a place in the remuda, but not the same place.

As the text for today reminds us, Christ is calling us all to be in His remuda — but not all of us are ready.

Some, like Doc, have a natural talent that needs to be refined. Doc is a klutz with four left feet and still hasn’t yet developed a smooth right lead, but he knows cows and has good intincts.

Babe has a delightful canter and gallop, but needs to work on her fear of calves. Neither are perfect but both have potential.

Although God has chosen you for His remuda, chances are, like Doc and Babe, you still need development. The “roundpen” of Church, reading scripture, prayer, and spiritual growth is where we start to really become the people God knows we can be and calls us to become. Christ has the lunge line and is working with us so we can be the men and women we were created to be and the disciples He uses to usher in the Kingdom — one stray at a time.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write “Out Our Way.” He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].