"Prophet"

I was staring through the mornin’,

The moon still ridin’ high,

A little breeze was blowin’,

Ghostly drovers drew up nigh.

Cross the plain I barely saw ‘em,

As their horses kicked up dust,

Longhorn cattle walked before ‘em,

Tried to make my eyes adjust.

And I thought I must be dreamin’,

What I saw was from the past,

I could hear ‘em faintly calling,

Yippee yo, they sang at last.

I heard the creak of leather,

And I heard their spur bobs jing,

I wondered was I dying,

It just beat everything.

Then gone just like a whisper,

The drovers passed from view,

Except the last one lingered,

Trotted near just like he knew,

That just any minute,

The sky would fill with dawn,

The sun’s rays fill the mornin’,

And he would soon be gone.

But he raised his hand in greetin’,

Said howdy, how’s your drive,

And I almost couldn’t answer,

But he spoke real and alive.

I said okay, but really dry,

He nodded, said he knew,

He rolled and lit a cigarette,

And blew a puff or two.

Expect a rain, it’s comin’,

Then turned and rode away,

I watched him as he passed from view,

And night turned into day.

And as we pushed the cattle,

All day and through the heat,

I heard the stranger’s words to me,

Rain’s coming, then repeat.

And sure enough at sunset,

The sky above went dark,

Thunder rumbled ‘cross the prairie,

And it rained like Noah’s ark.

The thirsty cattle loved it,

And every cowboy, too,

And in the early mornin’,

The rainstorm passed on through.

I have often pondered on it,

‘Bout my guest from long ago,

And how his words prophetic,

Came true that day, you know.

The Good Books says to listen,

To those with good words, hear,

And do not disregard them,

Whenever they draw near.

“Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said…” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, NLT)

The goal of every Christian is to be Spirit-led. In fact being led by the Holy Spirit is the signifying characteristic of God’s sons and daughters. This is why Paul counseled believers not to quench or stifle the Spirit and to be attentive when the Lord speaks prophetically to us. What does this mean exactly? It means that the Lord will personally speak to us. He does so through the scripture, through people, through music, through creation, through circumstances, through the still, small voice in our hearts, and many other ways. He may even give us a dream or vision. Like the cowboy in the poem, the Lord may choose a surprising catalyst to warn, direct or encourage us. Be open and attentive so the Spirit is never stifled.

Lord, help us to hear every word You speak to us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Teal Blake, tealblake.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Teal, and God bless you.