A Celestial Slant on Cowboys
September 24, 2012
In a grove of glossy dark evergreens at the bottom of a
ravine, red, brown and white horses congregated and side-stepped on the rocky
ground.
ravine, red, brown and white horses congregated and side-stepped on the rocky
ground.
Like a scene from a wrangling cowboy western, a man astride
a red horse leaned low to listen. Galloping in from the north, south, east and
west, his reconnaissance men on a mission returned with reports for his ears. Despite
reports of rest and calm, the ranger fell back into his saddle and sighed, “Lord
Almighty, how long will you…?”
a red horse leaned low to listen. Galloping in from the north, south, east and
west, his reconnaissance men on a mission returned with reports for his ears. Despite
reports of rest and calm, the ranger fell back into his saddle and sighed, “Lord
Almighty, how long will you…?”
I have been working my way through the ancient words in the
Old Testament of the Bible, trying to see them from fresh eyes and asking the
Writer to teach me anew each time. This celestial slant on cowboys and rangers
from the book of Zechariah is what accompanies my morning coffee today. I munch
graham crackers and refill my coffee cup numerous times, poring through these
verses. This scene catches my attention.
Old Testament of the Bible, trying to see them from fresh eyes and asking the
Writer to teach me anew each time. This celestial slant on cowboys and rangers
from the book of Zechariah is what accompanies my morning coffee today. I munch
graham crackers and refill my coffee cup numerous times, poring through these
verses. This scene catches my attention.
The wranglers straddle their horses in a myrtle/evergreen
ravine, while their ranger breathes hard through dusty nose and face. “How
long, Almighty God…?” and the cowboys wait.
ravine, while their ranger breathes hard through dusty nose and face. “How
long, Almighty God…?” and the cowboys wait.
In a surprisingly nonchalant manner, the very next sentence
introduces a new character to the scene, and answers the ranger’s questions.
introduces a new character to the scene, and answers the ranger’s questions.
Wow. Even wrangling cowboy angels can speak wonderingly to
the God of the universe? Even wrangling cowboy angels can ask, “How long, God?”
And even wrangling cowboy angels benefit from a God who steps into westerns and
dusty rocky ravines to speak kind and comforting words to those who need to
hear it.
the God of the universe? Even wrangling cowboy angels can ask, “How long, God?”
And even wrangling cowboy angels benefit from a God who steps into westerns and
dusty rocky ravines to speak kind and comforting words to those who need to
hear it.
No setting is too far off the radar. No canyon, mountain, jungle,
or soccer mom van is too remote a location for him to walk into the scene and
speak kindness and comfort to honest questions and sighs.
or soccer mom van is too remote a location for him to walk into the scene and
speak kindness and comfort to honest questions and sighs.
So, whether you are astride a horse or a golden Saturn, he
hears you, he loves you, he knows what you are thinking this morning, and he’ll
stride into your scene with words for you to hear.
hears you, he loves you, he knows what you are thinking this morning, and he’ll
stride into your scene with words for you to hear.
My goal this morning is to listen, to thank him for those
words, and then to turn and speak words of kindness and comfort to my kids, spouse,
neighbors and friends, to the people God has put around me.
words, and then to turn and speak words of kindness and comfort to my kids, spouse,
neighbors and friends, to the people God has put around me.
Linking with Ann, Laura, and Duane, I am thankful for wrangling cowboy angels
and a God who strides into any scene to reply.
and a God who strides into any scene to reply.
What has our Scene-striding God spoken to you lately?
Photo credits to Microsoft
your post encouraged and made me smile. i loved the imagery! thank you.
Listening and linking to our everyday life. That's the goal of my life. I love that God speaks in words I understand and can use to be a better Christian.
Grateful for His words this morning…to focus again on Him, and not on the what nots…to give thanks..I give thanks for His patience…blessings, Jennifer 🙂
Just beautiful… listening and watching for God's voice today friend! ~ Blessings out, Amy
Jennifer, love how you said that no location is too remote for Him to step in and speak the words we need to hear. So thankful for a Father who is with us wherever we go!
I love how you changed the setting and the historical stage to help us see this passage from a fresh viewpoint!
Well done!
How has God spoken to me, lately? Through power-line traces viewed from airplane windows.
Check out my latest post to learn more: josephjpote.com/2012/09/just-a-trace/
I love this post!
I added you to my approved readers list…see if you can get in now. =)
Tim and Rochelle,
Thank you. It's nice to meet you. I look forward to hopping over to your site.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Pamela,
Sorry for my delay in getting back to you: my internet has been spotty at times.
Thank you for stopping in. Yes, that linking to our everyday life — of God's word and my obedience… amen. 🙂
Have a great week, Pamela.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Dolly,
"To focus on him and not on the what nots" … 🙂 Grinning with you, Dolly.
Have a great week.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Amy,
Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Cheryl,
Yes, no location too remote, no moment too busy for him not to step into our scenes and speak the words we need to hear. I love that!
Have a great week.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Hi Joe,
I didn't even change the setting or stage there. It really does have horses and a ravine. Crazy, huh? That grabbed me too. Okay, I did add a dusty face, but I think that could be very likely too if they are galloping on rocky ravines. 🙂
Nice to meet you! I look forward to stopping by your site.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Millsgrandparent,
Nice to have you here! Thanks. Now I can comment to you too. I'm glad you're here.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
Love this. Makes me want to cowboy up for Jesus!
I love to try and link my everyday life with what God is teaching me. He speaks to us each day if we will only be still and listen.
Hi Shannon,
Saddle up, girl! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Jayne,
Choosing to be still to listen to his voice… yes, I am still learning that some days.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
These images are gorgeous, Jennifer. And the words? Lovely. Thank you for this reminder to keep my eyes fixed, friend.