When we
lived in Ignacio, Colorado we used to go up Missionary Ridge, outside of Durango
Colorado, and round up cattle. We would begin before sunrise and by midnight
have all the cattle brought down the mountain.
The mountain
was steep and required that the horses be prepared for the event. The Faverinos,
the ranch owners, would go to great lengths to make sure the horseshoes were
solid and secure, the saddles were proper and each horse was strong enough to
endure the elements needed for the roundup.
With all
the preparation needed for their horses, it surprises me to know that wild
horses do not need horseshoes. It seems they would need horseshoes more than their
domesticated kin.
The reason wild
horses don't need their feet shod is because they live continually out in the
rough. Their hooves stay hardened due to the rugged terrain they cover every
day. The elements of life required for their daily living does not consist of
protection, softness or relaxation.
Once a horse has been domesticated it takes on
a new life. The horse is brushed, put into fenced areas with soft luscious
grass, and given a stable with hay and shelter against the storms. Because of
all the protection it is given, its hooves become softer. As the hooves soften,
the horse's daily chores become painful. He begins to have pain shoot up his
legs due to the softness of the hooves.
In order
for the horse to be able to function properly, the craftsman has to come along
and put horseshoes on to prevent the horse from becoming crippled. After the
craftsman performs this task, the horse is ready to handle just about anything.
Before you
came to know Christ, you were much like a wild horse. Your life was hardened
and your daily routine kept it that way. You were unaware of the love of God
and his provisions.
Once you
came to know Christ, you were removed from the elements that kept you rough and
hardened. Now, you have entered into God's presence where there is rest and
comfort.
When you go
back out into the world, it will not be as before. You are sheltered in the
arms of God and safe from life's storms. This doesn't mean you will not
experience any storms in life but when the storms come, God will be there as a
place of refuge for you just as the horse now has a stable, a place of refuge in
which to be safe from storms.
When you go
back into the rough terrain, you now need to prepare differently. If there were
snow on the ground, would you need to be wearing your brightest pink spiked pumps?
No, we must prepare our day for the things we will be facing.
When our
family lived in Colorado, I had to make sure I had my heavy snow boots on when stepping
outside into the elements or my feet would soon be frozen. I could not have
done the things I had planned for that day.
Upon first
moving to Colorado, I tried the pumps on the snow and ice and my bumps and
bruises taught me to prepare differently the next time I ventured out.
How do you
prepare your feet for the rugged elements of life? As the scripture says,
having "Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"
This is something we need to do daily, just as you would put on your regular
shoes. If you were preparing for a normal day, you would ask yourself this
question, "What is the weather going to be like?"
The same is
true with your spiritual life. You need to prepare for the elements you will face
during the day. Don't start your day without putting on the whole armor of God.
Finally, my brethren,
be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
We need to
cover our feet with the truth, which is the word of God. Before, we allowed our
feet to take us places we should not have gone.
Now that we
belong to God, we need to prepare our feet to go into new places. Places where
we can carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to others.
As you
prepare for your day, be sure and put on the whole armor of God.
Don't
forget about your feet. We see from the horseshoe, it is very important to have
our feet covered and prepared.
You may
have entered the world before to drink and have a good time. This time when you
enter, your feet are prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Satan wants
more than ever to draw us back into the wild. If we are not grounded in the word
of God, our feet will slip easily back into his traps of deception and rough
terrain.
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