"Old Puncher"

Old punchers and old buckaroos,

Have a distant gaze,

Sitting where they didn’t choose,

To spend their later days.

Re-living horseback memories,

The rides of yesterday,

Vision dim but still he sees,

That strong, old cowboy way.

Early morning saddled,

Waiting for the sun to rise,

To go and gather cattle,

Under wild blue western skies.

Evenin’ at the wagon,

The campfire sparks and smokes,

Old stories old souls gladden,

Still laughin’ at old jokes.

He loved the life that’s fierce and free,

That now somehow is gone,

To him a curiosity,

That he has lived this long.

He sleeps, dreams of a buckskin,

A horse he rode for years,

And now it seems they’ve brought him,

His old eyes fill with tears.

They hand to him the shining reins,

Those cowboys filled with light,

Toes the stirrup with no strains,

And ne’er a need to fight.

And that plain he rides away,

The Savior in the lead,

The wind blows long ‘cross heaven’s day,

Astride his buckskin steed.

Crossed over to the promised land,

To ride forever more,

To cowboy with that distant band,

And all God has in store.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NAS)

Paul’s testimony should be ours as well. This earthly life with all its joys and sorrows holds no meaning apart from Christ. Jesus promised abundant life to His follower with the assurance of eternal life when we die. To really live truly is about a relationship to Jesus Christ. And when that life comes to an end we cross over into eternity which is infinitely better. Death becomes a doorway, nothing more, and certainly poses no threat. Jesus died and was raised to make it so, and we can know it beyond doubt. Certainty is the birthright of every true believer.

Lord, You define our lives, both here and hereafter, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Alfredo Rodriguez, used by permission. Thanks, Alfredo, and God bless you.