"Go Get 'Em"

Driftin’ through the pastures,

Lookin’ for the sick,

Dad had sent me out there,

To get it done real quick.

We received the cattle,

About a month before,

Most of them were straightened out,

But some just needed more.

So, yes, I had my saddlebags,

And in them meds to go,

My old rope was hard and fast,

I made my long trot slow.

And there hid in a thicket,

Was a sick one all alone,

And mighty hard to get to,

I knew he was far gone.

But maybe we could save him,

And give him some relief,

So got my loop right on him,

Doctored with belief,

That this one sick yearling,

Was worth all of the time,

It took to find and catch him,

And maybe get well fine.

And that is just what happened,

He made it, really did,

And Dad was sure glad of it,

His sickness we got rid.

Who do you know that’s wandered,

Off from all the rest,

Sad and sick and lonely,

And far from what is best.

Saddle up and long trot,

To where they last were seen,

And go and try to find ‘em,

No matter where they’ve been.

And if they’re glad to see you,

Better for you both,

But if they’re still a-runnin’,

You might take down your rope.

Sail a loop right o’er ‘em,

But make it braided love,

Could be you can turn ‘em,

Back to God above.

And if you do, you’re thankful,

And they’ll be thankful, too,

It’s worth the time and effort,

And something we should do.

“God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” (2 Cor. 5:20, NLT)

Coming back to God is the answer for the wandering heart. But people need encouragement, and God says He will make His appeal through us if we are willing. We can be conduits of grace, and be used by the Lord to help people return to Him. It’s take two fundamental things: availability and intentionality. Being available simply means we’re asking God to use us and not making some sort of excuse for being passive. Intentionality goes right along with it, by simply being alert to people who might need our help. They are everywhere, you know, and there is no question that God is ready and willing to use us. Go get ‘em, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, use us to help people come home to You, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, brucegreeneart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.