"Cowboy I Used to Be"

I only wish that you could see,

The cowboy that I used to be,

Before the years changed it for me,

The cowboy that I used to be.

Then I didn’t fear a thing,

Step on and ride that old rough string,

And if a need my lariat swing,

So wild and free,

The cowboy that I used to be.

Back then was prone to dance and drink,

Didn’t slow down much to think,

Many times drove to the brink,

The truth I couldn’t see,

Though mama prayed for me,

The cowboy that I used to be.

For so long I really thought,

If that “religious” bug I caught,

My cowboy days were all for naught,

If I would bend the knee,

I’d lose it all, you see,

And I could not be me,

The cowboy that I used to be.

No, I didn’t get too old to sin,

Doing well for the shape I’m in,

The Lord was with me, thick and thin,

And Jesus set me free,

To do the things He planned for me,

Pardoned all my past you see,

Washed by His blood, my only plea,

The cowboy that I used to be.

The wild He took to use His way,

I’m ropin’, ridin’, still today,

Not selfishly but come what may,

I’ve answered His decree,

He paid my entry fee,

On a wild, soul-catching spree,

I’m as thankful as can be,

Why not come and go with me,

More cowboy than I used to be.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

People fear surrendering to Christ because of misconceptions about what it will mean. If they understood how wonderful it is to receive the new life, they would not hesitate or procrastinate at all! Here’s the truth: the parts of you that are valuable in God’s eyes will continue to define your life and will be harnessed for God’s purposes. The parts of you that are distorted by sinfulness, selfishness and less than God’s best, will be removed. So, when you lose, you win. I’m more cowboy than I ever used to be and better because the Lord is in charge. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. Get some new life. You’ll be glad you did.

Lord, help us celebrate and share the new life You’ve given us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Teal Blake, used by permission. Thanks, Teal, and God bless you.