Daily Devotion Chat

The RodeoBy Rev. Joseph HolmesH C Cowboy Ministries (Horsemen of Christ)

Scripture:“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV – the way I like to read it sometimes)

Good Morning Cowboys and Cowgirls lets take a minute. I’ve been around enough buckin’ stock and bad draws when I was riding bulls and to tell you the truth rodeo don’t care how many times you’ve won. You can have the gold buckle shinin’ on your dresser, the truck paid off from last year’s winnings, and folks callin’ you “the man to beat.” But when that chute opens and that bull or bronc comes out, he ain’t read your press clippings. His goal is to buck you off, and he’s got four legs and a bad attitude.

You do everything right—glove up, rosined rope, feet set, deep breath, nod your head. Gate flies open, and bam—world tilts sideways. You’re grabbin’ air, spurrin’ nothin’ but sky, and next thing you know you’re bouncin’ off the arena floor like a bad check its happened to all of us. Happens to green hands, happens to old hands. Ain’t nobody permanent on top. The dirt’s honest that way.

Life’s the same rodeo, just without the announcer. We saddle up every morning thinkin’ we’ve got the draw figured. We budget tight, raise our young’uns the best we know how, keep the marriage hitched, stay ahead of the bills, maybe even throw a little prayer on top like extra rosin. We figure if we ride smart and hold on tight, we’ll make the whistle.

Then comes the wreck. Doctor’s office call. Layoff notice. Kid runnin’ wild. Roof leakin’ in a downpour. Marriage hittin’ a rough patch. Whatever it is, it spins you off, knocks the wind out, and leaves you sprawled in the mud wonderin’ what just happened.

Now here’s where it counts, partner. Are you lyin’ there with the clowns runnin’ interference and the crowd hootin’ do you stay down? Let the hurt and the mad and the “why me” keep you planted? Or do you roll over, push up on one elbow, get your boots under you, dust the arena off your chaps, tip your hat to the folks, and head back to the chutes for another go?

God never built us to lay there wallowin’. He didn’t pour fear into our souls so we’d spend our days huntin’ the nearest gate out. No he gave us His Spirit. Of Power when our legs are jelly. Love when bitterness wants to take root. A sound mind when everything’s spinnin’. That ain’t just fancy preacher talk; it’s the real stuff that gets a beat-up cowboy back up we call it “COWBOY UP”.

I’ve been thrown plenty times when the ground came up fast and hard, there was times when I didn’t think I’d ever climb back on again. But every time, there’s been a hand reachin’ down to help me up, and it was not mine. It was His! See Jesus knows what it’s like to hit bottom harder than any of us ever will He took the worst buck-off on Calvary and still got up three days later, victorious.

So if today’s got you in the dirt, don’t stay there nursin’ bruises Cowboy Up and grab that hand. Let His power lift you. Let His love heal what’s busted. Let His steady hand remind you that even though you may not pick the bull, you ride for the One who’s already won the whole show.

Lets PrayLord, You’ve watched me eat dirt more times than a man ought to admit. Some wrecks left me sore for weeks, others left scars I still feel when the weather changes. There’ve been days I laid there thinkin’, “That’s enough I’m done.” But You never let me stay down long. You’re the first one there to help me up.

Lord I ask to Pour out that power again when I’m weak. Soak me in Your love when the cold creeps in. Give me a clear head when lifes got me dizzy. Help me trust You’re ridin’ shotgun every jump, every fall, every comeback. And Lord, when I can’t see the timer or feel my grip, remind me You’re holdin’ the reins. Like you have always have been.

Thank You for never quittin’ on a beat-up ol’ cowboy like me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.