"Whoop and Spur"

There is just no tellin’,

What some cowboys will do,

If they have a challenge,

With penning cows, it’s true.

They’ll whoop and spur and holler,

Keep going when they’re tired,

Throw away all caution,

Do more than is required.

And why is it that they do it,

It’s not for buckles gold,

There’s no big prize money,

Out there in heat or cold.

In fact there’s not much livin’,

For the danger, grief, and pain,

And yet saddled and ready,

They’ll always go again.

‘Cause it’s not about the money,

It runs down deep you know,

Just somethin’ ‘bout the cowboy way,

Why he’ll saddle up and go.

He might even be embarrassed,

If you asked and made him tell,

Likely words would fail him,

It’s more like he just fell,

Right into this horseback thing,

Prowling bovine in the far,

And that’s where he is happiest,

Out where the cattle are.

You run across some people,

Who are passionless and bored,

Jaded with life’s habits,

Always losing and out-scored.

And no, all can’t be cowboys,

But let me tell  you this,

The Good Lord gives abundant life,

And that’s because we’re His.

And life is an adventure,

From birth right to the grave,

And God says it can happen,

‘Cause Jesus came to save.

Saved from hell’s dark nightmare,

Saved to spread God’s joy,

Saved to share the greatest love,

Saved, both girl and boy.

So then we know our purpose,

What we were made to be,

And just like the cowboys,

We learn to live life free.

Go all out and then some,

At a gallop, not a walk,

The Spirit overflowing,

How we live and how we talk.

Whoop and spur for Jesus,

Let not one get away,

But go ride in God’s gather,

Tell all He has to say.

“And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31, NAS)

Boldness is excited, passionate, and joyous witness. It’s all about the power of the Holy Spirit setting people’s lives on fire. The disciples gathered to pray because they were being persecuted. No where does it say they prayed for relief from the persecution. They asked for confidence to speak and for God to extend His hand and do miracles. And that’s exactly what He did. The place was shaken and they were all filled with the Spirit. Effective speaking out for God requires this, the empowerment of the Spirit. They passionately and gladly shared God’s word. We can, too.

Lord, give us boldness, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Owen, used by permission. (cowhorsegallery.com)