"What If?"

If we didn’t know a cowboy,

If we never rode a horse,

If we never knew the cowboy way,

Nor ever found the source,

Of how to handle cattle,

Or how to rope a steer,

Life would be quite different,

Might not be living here.

If I never watched a western,

If I never heard Roy sing,

Or saw someone like old John Wayne,

Cross the silver screen.

What if there was no rodeo,

Or round-up in the spring,

No ropings and no buck-outs,

No cowboy anything.

If I never held a branding iron,

Or dragged one to the fire,

Or watched top hands drink coffee,

And one by one retire.

All of these old memories,

Linked to this way of life,

I’ve wondered who I’d really be,

Had I never seen those sights.

The Good Book holds a promise,

That says in everything,

God works for the good of those,

Who love Him and will bring,

Themselves to full surrender,

To the call the Good Lord gives,

No matter our life circumstance,

We say for Him we live.

So if the life is cowboy,

He uses all of that,

But if to you it’s foreign,

And you don’t wear a hat,

You can claim His promise,

If you answer when He calls,

And you truly love Him,

It’s for everyone and all.

So value where you came from,

And all that makes you real,

Surrender life to Jesus,

And all you think and feel.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of these who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

Do you love Him? Have you answered God’s call in your life and surrendered to His purpose? If so, you have been given an amazing promise. It simply states that God in every single thing for your good. Think about that. All things…read that again and out loud. All means all, no exceptions. So, when tragedy strikes, God uses it for my good. When I'm disappointed, God uses it for my good. When I fail and fall, God uses it…You fill in the blank. What has happened to you? What set you back, knocked you down, or made you consider giving up? Whatever happened, even the worst things do not escape the redemptive grace that works for our good and His glory. And if I really believe this, life changes for the better. Do you believe it? I hope and pray you do.

Lord, help us claim the promise that You work in all things for our good and Your glory, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Clark Kelley Price, clarkkelleyprice.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Clark, and God bless you.