“Impedance”
I was very blessed to grow up on a working cattle ranch in
Texas. As a child, I thought it was just horrible being way out in the country,
not having other kids to play with all the time, and having to go work with the
grown men. I had no idea the life-long lessons I learned then, would be with
me, and influence decisions to the degree, which they have.
The experience of working with large animals was something most
kids in my community shared. There was a learned respect for cattle and horses
simply because they were ten times larger than the average person was, and if
you were not careful how you moved and handled yourself, you would probably get
hurt, possibly even killed. Being in a position where it was you and that
animal in a pen, the threat of injury or death very present, and being tasked
with accomplishing something with that animal that might not be natural for the
animal, presented a daunting challenge to a young person. Learning to position yourself,
carry a certain posture, and make the right amount of noise at the right time,
accompanied with appropriate arm waiving, was critical to the successful
disposition of the animal.
We had a few renegade head of cattle that seemed to have an
attitude of obstinacy. You could follow all of the methodology you had learned
from watching the adults, and sometimes be successful in manipulating the old
cow into the proper alley, then to the proper pen. However, some would rather
run over you than follow your direction. It was important to read the body
language of an animal, to know when it was time to head for the fence, and get
to safety. Thankfully, those animal personalities were the exception rather
than the rule. I always wanted to find a way to communicate with the animals
that what I was trying to get them to do was not going to hurt them, and that
in fact, it was in their best interest to follow my instructional gestations.
It was highly frustrating at times to be making a substantial effort in a hot,
dusty, and odor rich environment and not achieve the result desired. The cattle
became frustrated or at least agitated as well, because they had to start over,
and go through the process of being sorted into the right area.
I had a God moment back then, and realized that what I was
trying to do with the cattle was exactly what God was doing by sending His Son
to live and walk among us. God can’t force us to go the direction He wants us
to go, but He sure can waive His arms, make noise, and position Himself in a
way to help guide us to a better place. I’ve spent years of my life playing the
role of the obstinate cow, not looking for God, my head down, and headed to
where I wanted to go. I’ve even run over, knocked down, and kicked at, a few people
that I didn’t see as re-presenting Christ.
At the end of the day, my pain, frustration, regrets, and
emptiness, were because of not following God’s will for my life. Do not get in
your own way in your journey. The cliché “Let go and Let God” is ever true in
my life. When I have attempted to shut God out, and take it from here, I end up
having to go through a process again. It was frustrating, but necessary. God
will win, as it should be, so kick up your feet and go with the stream of
living water that is taking you to His will for your life.
Peace and Grace!!
Scott
No comments:
Post a Comment