"Roan"

That roan horse had a cowboy look,

Big hip, nice head and in my book,

Seemed quiet and he won’t get shook,

Seem that way to you?

Man says that he’s worth the price,

Like his gait, rides mighty nice,

Stepped on and off, not once but twice,

Think what he says is true.

So load him up and take him home,

Brushed him with a curry comb,

Rode off then, an easy roam,

We’ll make a little round.

Got snorty in a little while,

Flapping tail I did not smile,

Then bucked me off in half a mile,

Did not like what I’d found.

Stepped back on, I held the rein,

Got sideways then, I felt the pain,

And wondered if he’d buck again,

Back to my old round pen.

He acted like a gentle horse,

Again I was surprised of course,

Could not seem to find the source,

Of his behavior then.

Round and round I worked him there,

Perfectly he moved with care,

Just beat all, with you I’ll share,

I really liked this roan.

He’s better now, it’s taken time,

I haven’t rushed, but he’s done fine,

He has the look, he is the kind,

I’m glad I brought him home.

And I can find a lesson there,

Sometimes you see more than you dare,

And get surprised by hide and hair,

The Good Lord knows what’s best.

He works with us, He takes the time,

And patiently transforms the mind,

He’s always true, He’s always kind,

He helps us pass the test.

And gives us peaceful rest.

“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2, NIV)

God changes us from the inside out. His Spirit molds our thinking so that new attitudes and thought patterns impact our words and behavior. That’s how authentic spiritual transformation works. But it is not a passive process. We must learn to cooperate with the Lord’s work in and through us. The more we surrender our will to His, the more positive change will come. Some get stuck along the way, or revert to old habits when things get stressful. But the key is to keep on returning to the Lord, getting up when we fail and fall, and ask Him to help us. Keeping that connection strong pays off over time in measureless ways. Be transformed! We can be so we should.

Lord, change our minds and change our lives, in Jesus’ name.

Art by JaNeil Anderson, janeilanderson.com. Used by permission. Thanks, JaNeil, and God bless you.