Cow-Boy Up
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I often noticed the battered pick-up as I’ve driven down the road. It would be interesting to know the driver. The other day I noticed the truck was in front of me again. What got my attention was the decal/sunshield that covered the back window. It read – COW-BOY UP. I think I needed that reminder at the time. Instead of giving in to sickness, self-pity, or depression, I needed to “cow-boy up”. Cowboys are known for their toughness. I read about a rodeo cowboy who, over the years of competition, had broken his arm, wrist, and leg, had a ruptured spleen, and concussions. When cowboys get hurt they remind one another to cow-boy up – to be tough, suck it up, persevere, get back on the horse and keep going. If you have taken some hard knocks – don’t give up – cow-boy up. |
Believers in Christ have a greater inner strength to draw from. If a real cowboy is determined to cow-boy up, a real believer should be determined to Christian up. The believers in Antioch were so zealous that the locals began calling them Christians – little Christ’s”. (Acts 11:26) Paul possessed this inner strength. He declared, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) (Philippians 3:13-14) Believers do much more than cow-boy up. It is drawing from the presence and strength of the indwelling Christ. (Colossians 1:27) When Paul prayed for God to deliver him from a “thorn in the flesh”, God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you” (II Corinthians 12:9). Paul said that his boast was not in himself, but in the power of Christ dwelling with-in him.
Paul was shipwrecked, driven out of towns, slandered, beaten, stoned, whipped, imprisoned, and killed for preaching the gospel – he simply Christian-ed up. Believe and live in Christ – He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Paul drew from the power and strength of the victorious Christ. The One who suffered died on the cross for the sins of the world and arose victorious over death, hell, and the grave. The victorious Christ declared, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me shall live even if he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 NASB) To Christian-up is to believe and live in Christ.
Paul experienced this great truth, “What shall we say about such wonderful things . . . If God be for us who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? . . . Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Trouble, calamity . . . or danger? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us” (Romans 8:31-39 NLT).
I have enjoyed some western movies. John Wayne movies, such as “True Grit”, were amongst my favorites. In the old cowboy pictures the hero usually rode into the sunset, sometimes taking the heroine with him. The reality is that the mighty conquer, Jesus Christ will soon return from heaven riding a white horse. He is called the faithful and true. (Revelation 19:11-15) The armies of heaven, the saints, will follow Him on white horses. Christ will triumph over the evil one and all of his followers. He will usher in justice, righteousness, and peace. His children will rule and reign with Him forever. (Revelation 21) It will be worth it all. So whatever trouble and trials you are facing, don’t just cow-boy up, Christian-up! Believe and live in Christ. He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Have you received Him as your Savior and Lord? “For as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name” (John 1:12).
by: Cliff Sanders