Running With Horses

Jer 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied three, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

While wallowing in self-pity, confusion, worry and uncertainty the other day, God reminded me of an eternal truth that’s worth sharing: if you think things are bad for you now, how are you going to react when they really are? Will you remain a man of faith? The truth is that it doesn’t take much effort to knock us out of a trusting relationship with Christ. Look around, however, and notice those who are suffering for Christ in ways few of us could comprehend. Even knowing this, my nature is to always focus on my own troubles and assume them to be excessive, unjust, and unwarranted. If this sounds familiar, I ask you to consider the following:

* It is our lot as Christians to be used by Him in any manner He chooses while still believing and trusting in His fundamental Goodness. Even a cursory review of scripture will demonstrate how God used (and in our minds perhaps abused) His servants. Are you willing to be used as these people were used? If not, you have no basis to be assured of your relationship with Christ.

* Being a slave of Jesus Christ and “dying to self” means a lot more than we commonly think it does. It means all of you – what you own, think, feel, and hold dear – it all belongs to Him. Everything you are and have is to be used for His purposes, which may or may not appear or feel good to you. If this is the standard by which we are ultimately judged (and it appears to me to be just that), it is not surprising at all that Jesus calls the gate “narrow.”

As for me, I am tired of reacting exactly the way the evil one wants me to every time there is a struggle in life. I am wearied by the footmen – the small things in my life that consume my attention and make me fearful. We are called to run with the horses. That means be strong, don’t tire, and stay focused. Unless we have an eternal hope and a biblical perspective, we have no chance of achieving this. It is my prayer for all of us that we strengthen ourselves to be able to run with the horses. Think today of everything you own and affirm God’s right to it. Add in your wife and children – they are His as well and He may do with them as he pleases. Now throw in your job, house, car, clothes, health, sanity, and will – He’ll take those as well and may very well use them in ways of which you disapprove. And if He does, stay focused on the goal and don’t tire while running with the horses.

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