Out Our Way: Unsaddled - John 8:11

Out our way, a long day under saddle can be a real hardship for a working horse. Indeed, as tired as Charlie and I might be after a long day working cattle up on the Tiger Ridge, before we relaxed, we took care of our horses. We unsaddled them, got out the curry comb and brush and wiped Doc and Jet down to help dry them off, and then let them have a good roll. What joy they showed when they got back up, unburdened, and trotted off to the pasture to feed and drink to their hearts' content. There was something kind of special and uplifting in watching your pard free from his burdens and embracing his liberation.  

Like Doc and Jet, all of us carry heavy burdens much of the time, and perhaps the heaviest is the one we are least likely to admit: the burden of guilt. What lengths we will go to avoid even admitting we have anything to feel guilty about, much less repenting of them. But though we can lie to the world, we cannot long lie to ourselves. Pretending the saddle does not exist doesn't change anything. We have to face up and admit our own failings. And here is the shocking good news! Christ has promised to take that saddle off our backs when we admit we are carrying it. 

There is a word people do not know these days: "repent." It means to acknowledge one's sin and then turn away from it. To understand it, think of traveling to NYC from Denver. Imagine you are heading west instead of east. So to repent is to [A] acknowledge you are going the wrong way and [B] turn around. No matter how far you have gone in the wrong direction - even if you find yourself in Pasadena - Christ will forgive you and encourage you back on the road and back on the way to Manhattan.   

Christ calls us to allow Him to ease the saddle off and enter His pasture unburdened. But you have to allow Him to uncinch your burden and take the load off. Isn't it time to get unsaddled and let it go? 

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].