Out Our Way: It's Friday … - Job 13:15

Our our way they have a saying, “Ain’t no horse that can’t be rode, and no cowboy that can’t be throwed.” Having been “launched” a good many times along the way, I know a good deal about “ being throwed” I have sprained my ribs twice, hit hard on rocks and even into cactus on occasion and had the wind knocked out of me several times. Well, as my pard, Charlie, reminded me, “it’s part of the trade.” You can’t cowboy for long without ending up airborne a few times. But the real test of a cowboy is not how many times you get “throwed,” but how many times you get back up.

I recall the last time I was tossed — ole Doc got a stitch in his leg and as we were galloping up a slight ridge he suddenly kicked out. Not exactly a bucking bronco type kick — but given my skill level (any horse I didn’t have to first put a quarter into was likely to toss me before too long), I went over his head. It was almost slow motion as I vividly recall being eye to eye with him as I went by and I swear that critter just about winked! Then I hit.  

For a few moments, I couldn’t move. I wasn’t in any pain (yet) and was still a bit dazed, but I remember turning my head and seeing ole Doc about 100 feet away grazing as if nothing had happened. Then the numbness and haze wore off. Nothing broken and no sprained ribs this time (I was something of an expert on that one by now), but everything hurt. Getting up on my feet was out of the question at that point, but eventually I was able to get up and stumble towards Doc. “Joke’s over, jughead!” I whispered as I slowly made my way to his side.  

Fortunately, Doc was not the type to play “tag” or “ hide and seek” like his girlfriend, Babe, so he stood still while I made my way to him, took hold of the reins, steadied myself against his side and grasped the saddle horn, and then sought to get my foot in the stirrup. 

“Aye — there’s the rub!” to misquote Shakespeare, for in lifting the leg I discovered the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (and poor horsemanship). That was the last time I was thrown and banged up, but not the last time I saddled up and rode. As any would-be rider knows — you have to get back up no matter how hurt or scared you, for that is how the poor rider becomes a good one.

As many of you know, the Book of Job is the most popular book in the Bible because most of us at some time or another, relate to Job. One trial and disaster after another hit him, knocked him down and stomped him into the ground. All his friends gathered around him and did what they could to discourage him from getting back up. “It’s all your own fault!” “You probably deserved it!” “ You are such a loser — just quit!” But Job “cowboyed up.” “Though God slay me, I will still trust in Him!”

I don’t know if I have that sort of courage or faith — although life has tossed and stomped me quite a few times of late — but I want to be God’s servant even more than I wanted to be a cowboy, and so I look to Job’s example. Job never quit, but kept dragging himself up by the stirrups to get back on board and keep riding. Constant sorrows, unsupportive friends who actually served Satan by pouring salt in Job’s wounds. Who could blame Job if he, as his own wife counseled, “Just quit and die!” But he didn’t. He kept on going and triumphed.   

In the end, Job not only won out over all the pain and suffering, but became a hero of the faith whose courage continues to sustain and encourage millions to this day. “Though He slay me I will trust in Him” And God honored and rewarded that trust and courage.  

As we approach Passion week and remember Christ’s trials, let us remember Job’s and our own as well. We’re in pretty good company after all. But let us also remember what followed the “Passion.” I have never heard it better put than in the sermon delivered by a black preacher on Good Friday: “It’s Friday — but Sunday’s Coming!”

You nailed it, Pard! Amen, Bro!  

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.”