HOME ON THE RANGE
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10)
One of the best aspects of the place we live, Silver Spurs Ranch, is the herd of free-ranging cattle which roam the many acres here, wandering through uninhabited land and sometimes through the yards of landowners! But these creatures have afforded me some interesting insights into how God provides for us as we wander through life here on earth.
1. The cattle roam at will, but they have a tendency to “herd” together, thus increasing their safety.
Observation: The Lord in His infinite wisdom has endowed each of us with a free will---the ability to make choices not only in the physical, but in the spiritual. And those choices are dictated by our needs, our desires, and hopefully, by our conscience. Undoubtedly, there are some situations where there is little choice in the path to take, but in the realm of our eternal destiny, only one option is the correct one. God, in creating us “free-ranging,” has put us in the position of being able to choose Him or reject Him. To make us as robots would negate the love from us that He desires. I want the option of choosing, and I will never regret that I chose God’s way.
Additionally, we are admonished to “herd” together as believers for the edifying of one another, and perhaps in some way, for safety. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
2. Dotted throughout the ranch are huge stock tanks, some filling with rainwater, but most filled by windmills which generate the energy to pump the water.
Observation: Everyone realizes the necessity of water to sustain life, and no one knows it better than those who live in the high desert. These cattle would not survive three days without water. And so it is with us as Christians; the world dirties us; it sullies our minds and soils our spirits. The only element which can cleanse and refresh us is the Word of God. Without it, we become parched, dry and unable to move forward. As Paul tells us in (Ephesians 5:26)…”That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” And John makes it even clearer when he quotes Jesus, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” Thank you, Lord, for the Word.
3. Fences are critical. Even though the cattle I see each day are able to roam the ranch unfettered, they are constrained by the fences which incase this vast place and prevent them from straying too far from where the rancher intends them to be.
Observation: Have you ever heard a child psychologist explain the necessity of boundaries for children? Setting limitations for them is a way of expressing love; to do otherwise suggests an indifference to their welfare.
As God’s children, we need the security of a God-directed “fence.” As we mentioned earlier in the area of free will, the erecting of fences in our lives is totally up to us.
Recently, my daughter was teaching her daughters about Adam and Eve and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Learning that Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and eat of the tree, Madelyn reasoned thusly, “Why didn’t God just put a fence around that tree?” Logically, that would be the best solution, but that would prevent us from making the choices God wants us to make. We are beseeched to build the fences ourselves.
And yet, God has still created some boundaries to aid us in controlling our behavior and our carnal natures. Remember what (Romans 8:7-8) tells us: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” But in putting the outer man under subjection, we can claim the words of the apostle in (Romans 7:22)…”For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” The violation of the boundaries puts us in jeopardy of God’s discipline as in the relationship of parent and child. But conversely, regulating our behavior results in sweet fellowship with our Father.
4. In the cattle world the best time of the year is springtime since it is calving season. Cows are designed to reproduce and those who prove to be unproductive are culled…in other words, they become steaks!
Observation: As Christians we are expected to “reproduce” ourselves, to bring forth fruit. It is a principle of nature: like begets like. Have you ever observed that whiners create whiners, gossipers spawn gossipers, edifiers produce edifiers? As blood bought individuals, we have numerous examples in the New Testament of those who regarded the admonition to bring others to Christ. The first thing Andrew did after meeting Jesus was to find his brother to whom he said in (John 1:41)…”We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” And the Samaritan woman beat a fast path back to the city to tell all who would listen, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ?” The Philippian jailor wasted no time in bringing Paul and Silas to his home with the message of salvation. (Acts. 16:30-34)
Perhaps the comparison to cattle is not the most appealing, but it does hold true. We are to bring new converts into the fold and nurture them as a momma cow does her tender offspring. Only then are we truly valuable in God’s kingdom. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciple.” (John 15:8)
5. The need for a roundup in the cattleman’s world is multi in nature. For instance, at certain times of the year cows must be vaccinated, branded and inspected. Earlier this spring a group of the local bovines were herded up our road and effectively blocked the passage of some city dwellers who were driving in to see us. Everything shuts down until the herd gets where it is going! But of regardless of the reason to gather the herd, nearly always the ultimate destination is the home ranch.
Observation: Any saved person with knowledge regarding what the Bible teaches about Heaven, longs for that final round-up when the trumpet will sound.
(I Thess. 4:16-17) To be rid of the cares and woes of this world, to finally experience the glory of heaven, to meet our Saviour face to face is the hope which motivates us now. As Paul so aptly stated, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (I Cor 15:19) It’s not for this life only; it’s all about eternity. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20)
Conclusion: I am so grateful that God has in His wisdom, used His amazing creation to paint a vivid picture of our walk with Him.
