Out Our Way: Follow me - 1 Corinthians 11:1

Out our way, working cows all day in the hot sun can be a bit of a chore. Early in the morning Charlie would come by the house in his truck and hauling his bright red horse trailer. In the back was Jet, Charlie's horse - and after getting me, we'd drive out to where I kept Doc and load him as well. Jet and Doc got along, so it was not a hassle. We'd toss the saddles and such in the back and off we'd go.    

Charlie had ridden the Tiger for years and knew exactly where to go, where to park and where to unload and saddle up, so that first stage was easy peasy, and done quickly. Then we would mount up and head out. Again, Charlie had ridden this area for years and knew it well, but I confess, once over the first ridge I was lost. But what did it matter? Charlie knew what he was doing and I was with Charlie. 

He had the uncanny knack of figuring just where the main herd would be each day, and we always found it without fail. Then we would spread out a start checking the rest of the area - occasionally sending a lost calf back to mama - but mostly just checking fence and looking for any sign of problems. We once found a bull with a shattered leg, courtesy of one of his rivals who hit him when he was romancing a young heifer. It was also lion country and while I never ran into one on the Tiger, I had run into one in the Bear Paws and once even in town. You just don't know.

Charlie had taught me to always bring a full canteen for the day's ride, and after a few hours, I was grateful for the water. When I could, I'd ride up the ridge and get cooled off by a breeze, but the reality was much of our ride was down low and it was hot. I sweated a few pounds as did Doc, and though he did all the work, I felt the weariness set in before too long. By the end of the day, I was just a tad woozy in the saddle, but we kept riding and working until we had completed our tour. Then it was time to head back. But where was back?

As I mentioned at the start, once I crossed over the first ridge I was pretty well lost. I had a sense of north, south, east, and west - but as to the way back to the trailer ... not a clue. I know, I should have done a better job at watching my back trail, but I got lazy. So Charlie said we were going back - and I had no idea where that was. But Charlie did. And so off we went over hill and dale in seemingly random fashion - crossing one identical section of prairie after the other, and climbing a series of identical ridges that never seemed to end. And as the sun began to droop and shadows came out, we topped another ridge and found the trailer sitting where we left it hours before. I might be helpless and lost, but Charlie wasn't. Follow Charlie and Charlie will get me home. 

Reading the scriptures I find Christ saying much the same thing to lost and confused wannabes like me. "Follow Me and I will get you home." I don't know where I am going or how to get to where I long to be, but Christ does and is leading the way. "Follow Me!" 

As I get older, I find my ability to quote scripture isn't what it once was - and trying to obey the Word by being a master of theology, Greek and Hebrew just doesn't seem enough. But the simple words "Follow Me" do wonders. I find my theology vastly improved when I ask myself "Is this the way of Jesus?"  

Of late, I have had to deal with a great many strange-looking people - for young people try to look like the opposite sex, dye their hair, pierce their faces, wear Halloween costumes as regular clothing, etc., etc. And I am shocked by it. Then Jesus whispers in my ear, "Judging others is above your pay grade - just follow Me." And suddenly the most outlandish costumes, styles, etc. become acceptable because my opinion is of no real importance. They do what they do for reasons I cannot fathom ... nor do I need to. I see them - not the paint, tattoos, colored hair, oversized platform shoes ... them. And they are beloved of God. I follow Jesus past my bigotry and judgmentalism to start to see what He sees. A human being. Someone who is much loved by others and above all by God. I follow Jesus and find my way home.

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John