"Cowboy True"

Whoop and spur,

None can deter,

The cowboy with his work.

A horseback man,

He knows he can,

And ne’er a task he’ll shirk.

No bull too mean,

Or chances lean,

To cast a ready twine,

He’ll twirl a coil,

The bovine foil,

On flat land or incline.

Jerk his slack,

And trust his kack,

To hold up ‘neath the strain.

Tie one down,

So far from town,

Then do it all again.

A throwback yes,

To pass the test,

Of yesterday’s old son.

But glad to go,

And don’t you know,

He’ll ride till work is done.

A softer crew,

That showed up new,

In pens with buckles bright.

But not the same,

To them a game,

A hand like him, not quite.

Words came to me,

From Mama’s knee,

Abou the virtue of the real.

Those with no quit,

No, not a bit,

And that’s the cowboy deal.

Lord make me one,

When work’s all done,

They’ll say he did his best.

Stay cowboy true,

In all we do,

No matter ‘bout the rest.

“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny iHimself, and take up His cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NAS)

There are authentic cowboy and then the rest. There are authentic disciples of Jesus and the rest who aren’t yet. What is the difference? Jesus required a way of death that led to a way of life. It was all about being totally committed and dying to one’s selfish ego. Denying self and taking up the cross daily means I am willing to crucify my selfishness and decide against it everyday. This makes me unreservedly available to be used by the Lord as He sees fit. My plans, desires, dreams and goals are subjugated to Him. He is Lord of our day to day.

Lord, help us to be authentic disciples, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.