"Brush"

You could hear the dogs a-comin’,

Runnin’ cattle through the brush,

We’d been at it all the mornin’,

And now the final rush.

With our ropes took down and ready,

Ponies dashin’ round the edge,

Now keep yourself real steady,

Flyin’ through that old broom sedge.

And then there is a flash of white,

With sorrel spots and horn,

A dog behind, old steer’s in flight,

Fightin’ limb and thorn.

And now we plunge behind him,

Looks like we’ll get a shot,

Old Dan was sure to find him,

I love that dog a lot.

Now I sails that head loop,

‘Bout as far as it will go,

And then I yell a war whoop,

‘Cause it’s round his horns I know.

And Tysen’s right there with me,

With his heel loop in the twirl,

The world is as it should be,

Roped both legs just as they curl.

Dogs yippin, growlin’, bitin’,

That old steer we dragged down,

And soon there’s no more fightin’,

Have him loaded, gone to town.

And others done the same way,

As the hounds push them on out,

It’s really been a good day,

Of that there is no doubt.

So dally on my brothers,

To trail the wild bovine,

Go find lots of others,

And get ‘em caught just fine.

“‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4:19, NIV)

Chasing wild cattle through the brush in my younger days was an adventure, no doubt! But seeking to catch men is even greater. Why is it that so many Christians find this challenging? Maybe it’s because they are afraid they will be asked a question they can’t answer. Perhaps it’s because they feel unworthy to represent the Lord, and do not want to give a “holier-than-thou” appearance. It could be that they are unsure of their own salvation, and their witness is tentative at best. But when all of these issues are finally dealt with, the adventure begins! There is nothing more exciting than being used by the Lord to point someone to Him. God will help us if we let Him.

Lord, help us to become fishers of men, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt, used by permission. Thanks, Robert, and God bless you.