Out Our Way: The Boss's Riders - John 6:32- 35

Out our way, the cycle of nature is usually dependable. Snow melts and fills the creeks and reservoirs, then the rains top it off - the grass grows and flourishes so the herd has plenty. But sometimes the snow is light in winter and the spring rains don't come. Sometimes the pasture is sparse and the grazing poor. 

We try to avoid the herd going thirsty and hungry by rotating them through different pastures. One pasture area is usually allowed a season of regrowth and refreshment, so when another pasture is over grazed and the water is dried up, there remains a place of green grass and flowing streams. Thus from time to time, the Boss will move the herd and sends out his riders, for they know where to find the good pasture even when the cattle don't.

The roundup is always interesting - for usually, no matter how often they have been through the drill, most cows simply don't cooperate or understand. At least not at first. Charlie and I do huge sweeps, finding pockets of mini-herds to push towards the main staging area - and when we have brought them all together, we start pushing them towards the new pasture. They, of course, don't know or don't recall that the present grazing lands are not the only grazing lands ... that the dried-out reservoirs and creeks in the upper pasture are not the only place to find water. We have to show them. It can take some doing, but after a bit we get them moving and guide them to where the flowing water and good grazing is no longer unheard of or wishful thinking.

Most of you are familiar with Jesus speaking of us finding Living Water and Bread of Heaven through the Holy Spirit, but I wonder how many have actually experienced it? Like those cattle wandering aimlessly in the dried out pasturelands, the streams are dry and the grazing in life is poor. We hunger and thirst for more - but we cannot find it. We turn to others in hopes they will have the answers, but find the rest of the herd is as helpless as we. The thorn bushes poke us when we nose through the bottomlands and find only dried out stream beds. The rolling plains have turned brown as the overgrazed land has become stubble and can offer little or no sustenance. We are hungry and thirsty - and no matter where we turn, find all is empty and barren.

But like those cattle, we have not been abandoned. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit to guide us to the good pasture and still waters our souls so desperately seek. And so we are told to look for the Boss's Riders - the agents of the Spirit whom the Boss will send. And they will come. But like many cattle, will we listen and follow, or will we resist? 

The Boss's Riders are simply aspects of the Holy Spirit sent to guide, refresh and encourage us. They may come to us as fellow church members whose devotion to Christ both inspires and strengthens us.

They may come as strangers whose random acts of kindness show the love of God flowing like the Living Waters we so thirst for. The Spirit may arrive in a song, a prayer, a sudden revelation or inspiration that just pops up out of nowhere.

The point is, the Boss never abandons His herd - and will always send His Riders out for us. But here is the question: what if we have not yet been found? That question begs another: "If we have not been found yet, is it because they have not come ... or because we don't want to be found? 

Notice Christ calls us to "Come." He invites and offers - but does not force or compel. The green pastures and still waters lie ahead for those who will come. But we have to come out of the shadows and follow. If we are left behind to perish of spiritual hunger and thirst, it is because we chose to do so. The Boss' Riders are all around, leading all to the fresh pasture that awaits. Are we still hiding in the thorn bushes or have we opted to come out and follow? A question we likely need to ponder every day. I certainly do.

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].