"Cowboy Free"

Did it happen quickly,

When the cowboys rode away,

Or was it less than swiftly,

‘Cause it seems like yesterday,

That we saw ‘em cross the grasslands,

When there wasn’t any wire,

To fence off all the farm hands,

That their plows and crops require.

Riders loped up hot and dusty,

To the wagon in the glade,

To Cookie who was fussy,

‘Bout the biscuits that he made.

And there they told their tall tales,

Maybe a joke or two,

Some silently the herd trail,

Dreamed of when their drive was through.

Wild and young and reckless,

They brought the bovine round,

And some might think them feckless,

Though they covered lots of ground.

Just something ‘bout those drovers,

How did they get away,

Guess carefree, daring rovers,

No one could make them stay.

And now a piece of history,

We long for what is gone,

The magic and the mystery,

In poems and in songs.

The wind blows where they traveled,

And still some places wild,

Might hide what time unraveled,

The west’s own wayward child.

They say the Good Lord sees us,

He watches one and all,

But some whose ride will free us,

He gives a special call.

And, yes, the Lord will use ‘em,

To remind us all that we,

Should never really lose ‘em,

They teach us to live free.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, NLT)

There is something beautiful and powerful about freedom. The American cowboy symbolizes that freedom. The image of a a cowboy galloping across open country is an inspiring sight indeed. Jesus connected freedom with the truth. These days people are reluctant to admit that there is anything like absolute truth that applies to everyone. “You may have your truth,” they say, “but I have mine.” But Jesus was talking about universal truth. He went on to say that if the Son makes a person free, they are free indeed. Truth is, Jesus is the only way we are liberated to become all our Creator calls us to be. Jesus’ death and resurrection frees us from an eternity separated from God, and His Spirit gives us the power to live an abundant life in the here and now. His offer of freedom is the only authentic way to find it. Be free, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, help us find the freedom that only You can give, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, markmaggiori.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you