"Along the Brazos"

Down along the Brazos,

I rode a winding trail,

Sandy with no hoofprints,

Breeze blowing without fail.

Old Red, he stood there looking,

Ears pricked and nostrils flared,

His head up high and staring,

But I couldn’t tell just where.

And far across the river,

I saw to my dismay,

Several horses drinking,

The first one, a big gray.

And Red had seen those horses,

Or smelled them, I don’t know,

He was focused on their presence,

Though my perception’s slow.

And often when I’m riding,

He’ll see what I don’t see,

And know that there is something,

Looking back at me.

I thought that my perception,

I really should adjust,

What if the Holy Spirit,

Was there and then I must,

Depend on Red to know it,

To see that He was there,

Too slow in recognition,

Of His presence be aware.

Lord, sharpen up my senses,

So I will really be,

Expecting Your surprises,

And what You say to me.

Don’t let me simply wander,

And easily trespass,

And miss You when you tell me,

Go slower or go fast.

I know You’re always with me,

But help me always see,

That though the path is winding,

You are the way for me.

“…wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NLT)

One of the great goals of the Holy Spirit is to set us free from all that hinders us. His presence means liberty, and He frees us to become all we were created to be. Paul speaks of having “the veil removed” so that we can see and reflect the Lord’s glory. Seeing, or being able to perceive that the Holy Spirit is with us and working is important. Sometimes we wander through life, oblivious to what the Lord is leading us to do. Recognizing His presence and cooperating with Him on a daily basis will set us free indeed.

Lord, use Your liberating presence to set us free, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Owen, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.