"Are You a Cowboy?"

They said, are you a cowboy,

I thought, not that again,

Even though I understand,

Because of where I’ve been.

I always was a cowboy,

At least I dreamed to be,

I grew up doing cowboy work,

And sometimes still, you see.

But if you are a cowboy,

You know there’re better hands,

Those who know much more than you,

You do the best you can.

But constantly you’re learning,

New ways to get things done,

With cattle or with horses,

Not everything is fun.

The cold and hot and very dry,

The wet and even snow,

The equipment that won’t always crank,

Sometimes can’t make it go.

Flat tires and bad fences,

A bull that’s prone to fight,

Getting up while it’s still dark,

And working past the light.

And ‘course there are some people,

Who ask if you are real,

I sometimes don’t know what to say,

‘Cause here’s the cowboy deal,

I really do have horses,

I ride and sometimes rope,

But I don’t do it everyday,

A ranch that pays me, nope.

But if they need a day hand,

Or help to take up slack,

Guess I’m enough a cowboy,

With skills I hope will stack.

I know it’s a long answer,

But like someone who asks,

Are you a real American,

Means different things and tasks.

So, yes, I am a cowboy,

But what that means to me,

The definition’s personal,

Not clear to all, you see.

But what is more important,

A better question make,

Is if I love the Lord above,

And live for Jesus’ sake.

The answer is I love Him,

And with His help I try,

To live life as a Christian,

And will until I die.

I hope to always cowboy up,

The right and wrong is clear,

To hate the things He says are wrong,

And love what He holds dear.

And, yes, I love to cowboy,

And guess I always will,

But even more important,

To let His Spirit fill.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18, NIV)

What intoxicates you? Who or what is your controlling influence? Is it a chemical or a career or a constant obsession? Not being drunk with wine is only a way to illustrate the principle that we should allow nothing to influence or control us more than the Holy Spirit. Be “being filled” Paul counseled. That would mean a constant overflow of God’s presence in and through our lives. And that means that all the parts of our identity and life are controlled by Him. If I cowboy, it is with His permission and under His control. If I do something else, the same is true. The Spirit-filled life is God’s will for every follower of Jesus Christ.

Lord, fill us with Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Herman Walker, hermanwalker.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Herman, and God bless you.