Out Our Way: Check your lead!

Isaiah 57:2 "Those who walk uprightly enter into peace"

Out our way, we know about switching leads. At the canter it is important for the horse to know its leads. The top horses can switch leads and keep the gait smooth. Unfortunately, not all horses seem able to do so. Doc, whose right lead is not the best in the world, has never been able to get his left lead down. How many folks do you know who have two left feet? Ah! Meet Doc, who has four of them!

Doc has never really tried to throw me - although I have more airborne time than any jump school rookie at Fort Benning - but I was regularly launched due to his tripping over his own hooves when I tried to change leads. 

Thus it was that I began to spend more and more time in the arena instead of the open pastures trying to help Doc learn how to switch leads. At least the dirt was soft in the arena and no rocks or cactus to land on when he tripped up. I confess progress was slow and painful, but I was grateful for those few times when he began to get it.

Now, just as a good cowpony has to enable to switch leads as the demand calls for it, so must the disciple of Christ. I have noted how difficult it is for me to be a follower of Jesus all the time. Just today, for example, I was in a foul mood and my patience was thin. Someone, who needed to see Jesus in me, only saw an irritable old man who claimed to be a Christian and a pastor.

On a good day - on my good lead - I amaze others and myself with my devotion to Christ and my ability to represent him. Oh yes, my neighbor is duly impressed with my patience, caring, and willingness to really listen! ( Right lead)

But then comes a day when I am under the weather, irritable, and crabby as all get out. (Left lead)! I am not a credit to the Boss, but more of an obstacle to His desire to connect with my neighbor. I trip over my own sins and stumble, causing others to look and say: "This is a Christian? No thanks! I do better with athiests!"

Well, while I am grateful and acknowledge my "right lead" is not too shabby, I see my "left lead" is in dire need of work. I am not sure how much time I have left before the "round up," but as I "wear the brand" on the outside, I want to be the brand on the inside. I am not there yet, but reading the Gospels, Epistles, words of the prophets, etc.,I get the feeling a lot of us need to "check our leads" because "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). And therein lies our hope, "I did not come for the righteous, but for the sinners." Luke 5:32. 

Christ already knows my right lead needs work and my left lead is non-existent. He has seen your gait as well and if you will work with Him in the arena - prayer and worship time - imagine what He will help us accomplish. Maybe we both need some time to let the Boss work on our leads so we can better "ride for the brand." 

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John (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].