"Rodeo"

In the heart of old sin city,

The cowboys once a year,

Go to Vegas for the Finals,

They rope and ride, no fear.

But the big point that I want to make,

Is something you don’t see,

In just any sport event,

Or our society.

The first is homage to the flag,

You’ll see that one and all,

Stand to honor stars and stripes,

There’s no one kneeling, y’all.

The second is the prayer they say,

With hats removed, heads bowed,

And though it may offend some,

They never will be cowed.

So if it’s really cowboy,

It’s God and country sure,

It’s the rodeo tradition,

And we hope it will endure.

And often when a winner,

Is asked to say a word,

They love to give God credit,

The best you ever heard.

So we say long live rodeo,

And long live cowboys, too,

And, Lord, please bless our country,

And show us what to do.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 17, NAS)

Rodeo is one of the sports that is a throwback to a time when prayer and patriotism were part of a consensus of public morality. There was a general agreement about what was right and wrong, appropriate and inappropriate, particularly in the public square. That has sadly changed, and a strictly secular approach has replaced it. There is a great hunger, however, for that earlier time, and rodeo reminds us. Whatever we do should be done in Jesus’ name for God’s glory. For some of us this is non-negotiable.

Lord, help us live for You, in Jesus’ name.

Photo by Steve Wrubel, used by permission. Thanks, Steve, and God bless you.