"Save"

Just before he goes to sleep,

He thinks of things he hopes to keep,

A-horseback up those hills so steep,

And everything he saw.

Then his mind goes way on back,

To early days he still can track,

He loved it then, and that’s a fact,

Held cowboy ways with awe.

Not so sure why this is true,

But all his life it was his cue,

To saddle up, drive cattle, too,

His love from way back when.

From Alabama pastures green,

To Texas longhorns, thousands seen,

To Idaho’s big gathers keen,

To him they felt like kin.

But here’s the truth, make no mistake,

Whatever memories we make,

The Good Lord only cures the ache,

Of our heart’s deepest need.

And all who answer He will cure.

His promise to us always sure,

His peaceful offer will endure,

From all our fears we’re freed.

And those who love the cowboy way,

Should come when they have gone astray,

Find the grace of God today,

God will a cowboy save.

And then no doubt to cowboy up,

Means God will overflow your cup,

Ride for His brand and right now, yup,

To share the love He gave.

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8, NLT)

All of us have our various backgrounds and history. This includes the things we love, enjoy and relive in memory. No matter what our personal experience has been, nothing can meet the deepest need of the human heart but Jesus. He alone can save us and make us sure that our eternal salvation is secure. When this happens, we surrender all that we are to Him, including the things we love the most. We turn away from the obviously sinful things we have done. We give Him control of our entire lives. In some cases He asks us to walk away from something we’re doing. In others, it is simply the surrender of control that matters, and then He uses whatever it is for His glory. Salvation is a gift that cannot be earned, but we respond to grace with a life of obedience. Our obedience is empowered by the same grace that saves us.

Lord, empower us by Your grace, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Ken Steinnerd, used by permission. Thanks, Ken, and God bless you.