“Grace is Riding Easy in the Saddle”
In his video, “Healing the Shame that Binds You,” John Bradshaw illustrates grace by this statement, “Grace is riding easy in the saddle.” I paraphrase it like this, “Grace is a gentle ride not a bucking bronco trying to eject us from his back.”
Often grace appears to be seen as a rodeo bronc named “Wildfire,” or “Genghis Khan.” I have met many Christians who were saddle-sore from trying to stay on their steed named “Legalism,” or “Law.” It is as if God saved them then put them on a bucking horse that was continually attempting to dislodge them from their ride of faith. They are riding a faith that requires, “holding on,” desperate measures, and a tight rein.
A number of years ago I pastored a man named Bob, who was the foreman of a several thousand acre cattle ranch. I remember going out to the ranch in full regalia; jeans, boots, and cowboy hat, to accompany Bob as he moved cattle from one pasture to the next. Bob would laughingly saddle the gentlest horse in the corral for me. He knew I was basically a greenhorn, and didn’t want the preacher to wind up with a broken leg or worse. What enjoyment it was to ride easy in the saddle, and let the cutting horse do all the work!
When my son Kelly was just a lad, at the age of 3 to 4, his grandfather, D. G. Council had a farm with several horses. Kel was enamored by the idea of horses and begged to be able to ride a horse. I recall those occasions when D. G. would take us to the farm and get his spirited cutting horse, “Smokey,” from the corral and saddle him up for Kelly. As he would lift Kel to the saddle, he would speak directly to the horse and say firmly, “Now Smokey, you are carrying precious cargo, be careful.” That great horse that could run like the wind, cut the cattle, and all the things a great ranch horse would do, would immediately change his demeanor. He walked slowly and softly listening carefully to the commands of his owner. He sensed that this ride was different! Once we became frightened when he appeared to be headed towards an open gate with Kelly still mounted. However as he approached the gate he gently turned about and returned to D. G. I can’t help but smile in remembering once as Kelly was riding he reached over and patted the horse on the shoulder and in his immature voice whispered, “Whoa ‘moky, you’re carrying precious cargo.”
Somehow I now realize that when I accepted Christ, the heavenly Father brought his gentlest ride, placed me on his back, and said, “Grace, you are carrying precious cargo, be careful!” God the great Master has continually directed Grace and he always followed His commands. Pardon me as I clear a tear, but looking back I see what Grace has carried me through, and how gentle the ride has been thus far. When the ride was rough, it was me, not him! No wonder John Newton penned the words, “Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. Grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”
I realize today as never before that God didn’t save me to give me a hard, bucking, uncomfortable ride through life, but Grace carries me gently by the directions of a loving heavenly Father!! My ride is name Grace! There are enough Graces to go around for everyone!! Just remember Grace always knows who is in His saddle; the Master tells him!!!
May your ride today be gentle and glorious!!!
II Corinthians 9:8
Love and Prayers,
Len
