"Out There"

 The cowboys all will tell you,

About that old ranch life,

But they can’t always find the words,

Like describing their own wife.

And, yes, they’re married to it,

‘Cause it’s what they do each day,

But more than that, it’s who they are,

And not some game they play.

Sometimes they’re on an outfit,

With endless sections far,

You couldn’t get across it,

Driving all day in a car.

And out there in the distance,

He rides the whole day through,

Lookin’ for the bovine,

And seldom seen, it’s true.

But off the grid a-horseback,

To make sure all is well,

And as long as there are cattle,

They’ll be someone to tell,

All those cowboy stories,

Of ropin’, ridin’ fame,

Stretching back in history,

But working cows the same.

There’s just something about it,

That way of life we need,

And sometimes God will use it,

To plant a needed seed.

Of life away from cities,

With a slower kind of pace,

In tune with the seasons,

And the weather’s changing face.

But whether on the mountain,

Or the desert or the brush,

It’s slower but it’s steady,

And not in such a rush.

And if we were to rein it in,

We might find that we,

Have a near Creator,

Who loves us so, you see.

And all the best hands that I know,

Will readily agree,

That the Good Lord has a purpose,

For creating you and me.

And, no, not all can cowboy,

Nor should they even try,

But all those cowboy lessons,

Can help, and that’s no lie.

And maybe there’s a cowboy,

That someone somehow knew,

And if you care to follow,

You might find it’s true,

That often in those hoof-prints,

We’ll find a better way,

To live for things that matter,

Starting now, today.

“But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter…” (Psalm 73:28, NLT)

It is good to know that God is near. But the noise and busy-ness of life competes with this awareness. And it’s not that this changes, but only our perception of it. That’s why it’s so important for us to have quiet time. Whether it’s far off in a distant place, or simply in the quietness of our own prayer closet, to focus on the Lord is something we all need to do. The psalmist recognized that being still was an important part of this acknowledgement. Taking refuge in HIm depends upon the sense that He is near. And He is…always.

Lord, help us to become aware of Your presence in our lives, in Jesus’ name.