Out Our Way: God rides for the brand, too

Romans 6:8 - "For we know that if we died with Christ, we shall also live with Him."

Out our way, most cattle are kept within fenced grazing lands, and except for the annual open-range grazing on Beaver Creek Park near the Chippewa Cree Tribe's reservation, herds don't often mix. We still do brandings and have the ear tags, but seldom need to worry about checking. If they were the right breed, had the right color ear tag, and were within the fenced area, I pretty well accepted them as Big Mike's herd.

Even after six years working the cattle up on Tiger Ridge with Charlie, I still have no idea what Big Mike's actual brand was. Even so, the old phrase "I ride for the brand" still cuts ice out our way.

The phrase is about loyalty. It is also about community. In the old days, if you signed up with an outfit, they became family. To "ride for the brand" was to basically say "No matter what, I will stand by my outfit and my Boss through thick and thin."

To "ride for the brand" means working long days and nights, dealing with tough conditions year-round, facing bad weather, tough conditions, stubborn and plain stupid cattle, and an occasional cranky cow pony who decided to try to toss you into the cactus instead of work. It means getting up at 3 a.m. in February - calving season - and going out to check and often help newborns being delivered.

But, traditionally, it worked the other way as well. The Boss was expected to be as loyal to the hands as they were to the Boss. The Boss was often out there sharing the load, but also carrying the burden of running the lashup. Taking care of business is a 24/7 process and it includes taking care of the cowhands. The "brand" was the bunkhouse as well as the ranch house, and the Boss had to "ride for the brand." A lot of wealthy folks came west and set up ranches, but only the ones who understood that "riding for the brand" worked both ways survived.

In Paul's letter to the Romans, he speaks of that connection between God and us. Basically the point he makes is that if we "die with him" - i.e, ride for the brand and become true disciples and followers - we shall also "live with Him" - He will also ride for the brand with us as well.

I confess I was and am a lousy cowhand - and am equally a lousy disciple. I can't rope worth beans, I can barely stay in the saddle at the gallop, and I get turned around and lost in the arroyos I explore looking for strays. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am often the stray that needs to be found and turned around. I can quote scripture and even read a bit of Greek and Hebrew, but I far too often fail to understand or follow it. How many people have I deterred from following Jesus because of what they see in me as a self-processed disciple.? Prejudice ... greed ... self centeredness ... hypocrisy as I say one thing and do another ... and the list goes on an on. If I am the only example of a disciple folks have, God help them!

And He will! But He will also help me! Again, look at Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament and founded churches all across the Middle East and into Europe. Yet, at the end of life, he confessed what a hopeless sinner he was apart from Christ. "This is the truth: Jesus Chrsit came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst!" (1 Timothy 1:15)

Yet, Jesus rode with Paul and sustained him. Christ gave him peace, courage and purpose. You see, Paul was part "of the brand" and God rides with and for the brand, even when we think we don't deserve it. God "saddles up" with us every day You ride in the dust and can barely see - but Someone rides beside you. Yup, it's the Boss. He rides for the brand, too, and that means He rides with and for you. Next time you feel really low and choking at "the tail end of the herd," take a look at the words of Christ. "Lo, I am with you always!"

Brother Bronco

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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].