Words to Live by:
THE TARP
I watched Matt Cox, Equine Director of Miracle Mountain Ranch, attempt to put the eleven hundred pound three-year-old horse over the tarp. He continually asked him – there would be no forcing. The colt had to make the decision on his own to trust Matt enough to obey and step into and onto this frightening thing in his life: The colt refused.
We were on a bit of a time schedule and this was eating precious time up quickly. I had 20 students there for my annual barrel clinic and more visitors who were there for the Sermon On The Mount that morning. Some of us who were concerned about the time were praying, “Lord, put that colt over that tarp!” Much of the prayer was about time, but part of my prayer was that those attending would have the opportunity to see that this type of horse training and patience actually worked: It didn’t happen. In fact, it never did happen. After a considerable amount of time when the colt got close enough to actually touch the tarp, Matt had to accept that effort and quit there. It was very difficult for him to do so as quitting at that point was not in the best interest of the colt. The task was unfinished – even though he had shown a very small step of faith, the colt had not learned to trust.
While waiting on, and working with, the colt in an attempt to get him to step on and over the tarp, Matt was relating stories of incidents in his life that had been difficult and he was telling how the Lord had gotten him through each one. I sat and marveled at the way I felt God was using Matt’s testimony to reach others. I knew several well enough to know they struggled with like issues and prayed God would encourage them through the experiences of another who had mustered up enough faith to trust God with his needs. I got feedback from several of them to confirm what I believed. I thought that was the extent of the message purpose and was pleased with the outcome.
The next day while riding and working horses in the arena, one of the ladies who had been watching the entire process the day before was relating to us the fact that at the time, she didn’t want the colt to go over the tarp! We all sort of gasped and said, “What”? She replied, “I didn’t want the colt to go over the tarp as I am that colt!” (Matt, himself, had said those very same words – about himself - at one point in the process of attempting to get the colt on the tarp.) Through tears, she told us that so often she is afraid and refuses to trust. Once again, I marveled at how God had used that situation to reach even more people in various ways.
As I thought about these things and rejoiced in God’s goodness to provide help and encouragement to those I knew had received it, an amazing thing was happening to me. Facing some oversized giants in my own life at the moment, I began to see myself standing at the edge of that tarp. I trusted my Lord to take me in the direction of the tarp, hopefully not too close, but I certainly did not want to step on it or go over it! I reminded myself of all the other instances in which He had led me in various ways and, in spite of my fears, how they all worked out more than fine and that I could trust Him to do it again. It still did not make me want to get on the tarp. Of course the big part of the problem is that I can’t see beyond the tarp. That is where faith comes in. I reasoned that once I stepped on that tarp and walked over it, I would come out on the other side with peace and joy, knowing I was where He wanted me to be. Perhaps it is somewhere I’ve even longed to be. Oh, I reasoned it all through, but I found myself (find myself) reluctant, dreading to put even a foot on that tarp.
How clearly this illustration is for me to see my limit of faith, and to see just where I am in my trust relationship with my Lord. I don’t think I’ll ever face anything again without visualizing that tarp lying on the ground with me at the edge, making the decision to step onto it or turn and run. I pray, with God’s continued help, I’ll someday boldly step onto that tarp and let him lead me into His perfect will for my life.
Joan Wurst
I watched Matt Cox, Equine Director of Miracle Mountain Ranch, attempt to put the eleven hundred pound three-year-old horse over the tarp. He continually asked him – there would be no forcing. The colt had to make the decision on his own to trust Matt enough to obey and step into and onto this frightening thing in his life: The colt refused.
We were on a bit of a time schedule and this was eating precious time up quickly. I had 20 students there for my annual barrel clinic and more visitors who were there for the Sermon On The Mount that morning. Some of us who were concerned about the time were praying, “Lord, put that colt over that tarp!” Much of the prayer was about time, but part of my prayer was that those attending would have the opportunity to see that this type of horse training and patience actually worked: It didn’t happen. In fact, it never did happen. After a considerable amount of time when the colt got close enough to actually touch the tarp, Matt had to accept that effort and quit there. It was very difficult for him to do so as quitting at that point was not in the best interest of the colt. The task was unfinished – even though he had shown a very small step of faith, the colt had not learned to trust.
While waiting on, and working with, the colt in an attempt to get him to step on and over the tarp, Matt was relating stories of incidents in his life that had been difficult and he was telling how the Lord had gotten him through each one. I sat and marveled at the way I felt God was using Matt’s testimony to reach others. I knew several well enough to know they struggled with like issues and prayed God would encourage them through the experiences of another who had mustered up enough faith to trust God with his needs. I got feedback from several of them to confirm what I believed. I thought that was the extent of the message purpose and was pleased with the outcome.
The next day while riding and working horses in the arena, one of the ladies who had been watching the entire process the day before was relating to us the fact that at the time, she didn’t want the colt to go over the tarp! We all sort of gasped and said, “What”? She replied, “I didn’t want the colt to go over the tarp as I am that colt!” (Matt, himself, had said those very same words – about himself - at one point in the process of attempting to get the colt on the tarp.) Through tears, she told us that so often she is afraid and refuses to trust. Once again, I marveled at how God had used that situation to reach even more people in various ways.
As I thought about these things and rejoiced in God’s goodness to provide help and encouragement to those I knew had received it, an amazing thing was happening to me. Facing some oversized giants in my own life at the moment, I began to see myself standing at the edge of that tarp. I trusted my Lord to take me in the direction of the tarp, hopefully not too close, but I certainly did not want to step on it or go over it! I reminded myself of all the other instances in which He had led me in various ways and, in spite of my fears, how they all worked out more than fine and that I could trust Him to do it again. It still did not make me want to get on the tarp. Of course the big part of the problem is that I can’t see beyond the tarp. That is where faith comes in. I reasoned that once I stepped on that tarp and walked over it, I would come out on the other side with peace and joy, knowing I was where He wanted me to be. Perhaps it is somewhere I’ve even longed to be. Oh, I reasoned it all through, but I found myself (find myself) reluctant, dreading to put even a foot on that tarp.
How clearly this illustration is for me to see my limit of faith, and to see just where I am in my trust relationship with my Lord. I don’t think I’ll ever face anything again without visualizing that tarp lying on the ground with me at the edge, making the decision to step onto it or turn and run. I pray, with God’s continued help, I’ll someday boldly step onto that tarp and let him lead me into His perfect will for my life.
Joan Wurst
God is Always Watching:
I was sitting in my office working and keeping an eye – via a camera and monitor - on
the eight, almost-five-week-old puppies in the puppy room while doing so. Mom was
not with them. Most were sleeping, but one was restless. He actually began to cry and
carry on and didn’t want to settle down. I was sure nothing could be wrong with him, but
after a time of watching him fret, I felt led to leave my work, go, and make sure he was
okay, and try to calm him.
I let myself into the pen as he was still complaining. He heard me open the gate and as
I did, I spoke to them. They all immediately awoke and started for me, but he was
ahead of them on his way. He was frantic to get to me. When I picked him up, he
couldn’t get close enough to me and could not stop licking me! This behavior went on
for some time. This puppy had never behaved like this before. Something obviously
had him upset and he needed reassurance that all was well.
He couldn’t know that even though I wasn’t in the room with him, I had been watching
him through all of his trauma. He couldn’t know that when I felt the time was right, I
would step in and rescue him. As I held him and gave him that reassurance, I couldn’t
help but draw a comparison to myself and my God. There are times I get out of sorts
and may have doubts and fears. I wonder how I’ll get through some situation.
Sometimes one can forget that our Heavenly Father is always watching us! We are
never out of His sight and when we need rescued, we can be sure He will be there to do
it!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this precious reminder of Your love, and loving watch-
care for me. I can rest in the knowledge that Your eyes are always on me and that You
will rescue me whenever needed. I need never fear as You never sleep and are always
near. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Joan Wurst