"Horse Sale"

They’re consigning all these horses,

That they intend to sell,

And I can’t afford one,

But I like ‘em, truth to tell.

There’s roans and bays and sorrels,

One buckskin, palomino,

All but two are quarter horses,

Not a single pasafino.

Ranch geldings you can rope on,

Some mares with bloodlines strong,

They think more will be added,

And looking can’t be wrong.

They say they all are gentle,

You can trust ‘em with your child,

Not a one will buck or kick,

And are anything but wild.

They act like in your lifetime,

You may never get the chance,

To buy a mount quite like ‘em,

But I’ll just give a glance.

And yet there’s somethin’ ‘bout it,

When they run ‘em through the ring,

And the auction starts the biddin’,

It just beats everything.

It kinda makes me itchy,

It’s real hard to explain,

Won’t call it an addiction,

So let me make It plain,

I might just want a new one,

Though it’s not about a need,

To bid and buy and try one,

Pay the money, do the deed.

But just some stray desire,

Like a cowboy sometimes gets,

And rein it in I’d better,

Before that old sun sets.

‘Cause if I don’t I’m thinkin’,

Of a way to get it done,

Put a new horse in my pasture,

And do it just for fun.

They’re consigning all these horses,

And the biddin’s ‘bout to start,

O Lord, please give me mercy,

And help me fort my heart.

“No one can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24, NAS)

We have to be careful about what we want. It’s not that God is against what makes us happy. It’s just that we can’t let what we like or enjoy get in the way of loving the Lord. And it really doesn’t matter what it is, unless it’s obviously immoral. Material things are not innately wrong. They are morally neutral. It’s our attitude that makes the difference. You can’t serve God if that “thing,” whatever it is, masters you. Whether you love horses or cars or boats or whatever, that love must be subjugated to the Lordship of Jesus. When we love Him above all else He’ll show us the right balance in enjoying everything else.

Lord, help us love and serve You alone, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Don Weller, used by permission. Thanks, Don, and God bless you.