"Problem"

They said he was a problem,

Would try to buck you off,

And when I said I’d take him,

The seller gave a scoff.

Guess you think you can ride him,

But let me tell you this,

This horse is a bad one,

And I would be remiss,

If I didn’t warn you,

And tell you what is true,

You had best be careful,

‘Cause you don’t know what he’ll do.

He gave no trouble loading,

Nor unloading at our place,

I put him in the round pen,

In the morning set the pace.

With lots and lots of ground work,

Off and on all day,

And fed him in the round pen,

And that is just the way,

I worked him under saddle,

But never did step on,

For one and two and three weeks,

I would say we got along.

Walk and trot and lope around,

Stop and look at me,

Side pass and move backward,

And all I’ve got to say,

Is this young horse was ready,

For me to step aboard,

An though I was plumb ready,

The time gave me reward.

‘Cause he move out when I asked him

Walk and trot and lope,

Maybe humped a little,

But gave to me the hope,

That maybe how he acted,

Was not all of his fault,

Maybe they just rushed him,

With all those rides they brought.

And he only got better,

Soon I got one caught,

And he just turnred and pulled him,

Just the way he ought.

That was many years ago,

The old boy’s twenty-one,

My kids and grandkids love him,

He’s given them such fun.

And I can still go saddle,

He’ll still watch a cow,

Just like when a young horse,

He’ll do the job somehow.

I’m glad I didn’t listen,

When they thought I was all wrong,

To spend time with an outlaw,

And take a chance so strong.

But I then remember,

What the Good Lord did for me,

Saw what I was hiding,

The one that I could be.

So don’t give up too quickly,

It’s the same with horse and man,

Invest the time and effort,

We should because we can.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)

Sons and daughters of God are in training to become more and more like Jesus. God uses everything to teach us, but especially disciplines us through hardship. It’ painful, yet productive, and necessary for us to be transformed. It’s a sign that we truly belong to God and that He is committed to changing our lives for the better. God’s discipline always produces a powerful harvest.

Lord, discipline us as You see fit, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, used by permission.