GETTING OFF MY "HIGH HORSE"

When was the last time you rode a horse? Maybe you’ve never ridden one?  I’ve only been on a horse twice in my life, the first time during a children’s camp.  I was petrified.  Later, as an adult, while spending the day at the beach, my friend suggested we go horseback riding.  Considering my earlier experience, I’m not sure what possessed me to agree but I did. 

We rode out of the barn where the horses were stabled and crossed the road, heading to the sandy beach.  So far, so good... Before we reached firmer sand near the water’s edge, the horses in a private conspiracy, turned around and headed back to the barn! We hadn’t gone the length of two city blocks!  At least we didn’t get thrown off.   

Riding:  The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground.  ~Author Unknown

This quote reminds me of a scripture verse:

Do not be like the horse or like the mule which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you (Psalm 32:9). 

Ah, yes, and are we humans any different? Remember how the Apostle Paul (then called “Saul”) was hell bent on persecuting Christians until he made a trip to Damascus (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19).  But in this case, it wasn’t an unruly horse that knocked Paul down, it was the power of God and presence of the living Lord, Jesus Christ.

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 

From that moment, Saul was transformed. When we come into the presence of our living Lord, we are transformed. You may be saying, “But that’s never happened to me.  God’s never spoken to me in a loud thundering voice.”  Maybe not, but the good news is that…

When you pray, God will listen…you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and soul (Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Deut. 4:29).

God wants to have a close, intimate relationship with us.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather reach for His loving embrace, instead of waiting until He has to knock me off my “high horse"!

One reason why birds and horses are happy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.  ~Dale Carnegie