"Tough and Tender"

Cowboys tough and tender,

And in the end will render,

Something that to some is a surprise.

In spite of whoopin’, spurrin’,

He keeps his word recurrin,’

Promise-breakers he will oft despise.

‘Cause what it is he tells you,

Might just overwhelm you,

But better that he tells the truth in love,

And then to just go do it,

Though challenged going through it,

With simple graces from the Lord above.

It’s not so complicated,

When things aren’t fabricated,

Loyal to the brand the way he should,

And he can spot a counterfeit,

And even more a hypocrite,

Their greasy selfishness is never good.

That’s why you see it frequent,

Though some are still delinquent,

Cowboys who for Jesus take a stand,

It seems you find ‘em ready,

And with a hand so steady,

Riding in the light across this land.

Not confused about their gender,

And armed to be defender,

Of all that’s right and those who need him strong,

No poser or pretender,

Or cowboy hat weekender,

But one who ain’t afraid to right a wrong.

So God bless all those cowhands,

A-ridin’ through the badlands,

Relying on the Spirit and His power,

God raise up more cowboys,

Freed from this world’s employs,

And led by Jesus in this final hour.

“instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:15, NLT)

When people are willing to consistently speak and do the truth you have found a treasure. But when they speak the truth in love you have found the key to spiritual maturity, integrity and stability. It’s Paul’s formula for growing to be more and more like Jesus. A steady diet of truth that sets us free, spoken with love so that it can be more readily received and put to use. Angry Christians don’t bear fruit. Why? Because they make themselves unrelatable to the very people they are trying to reach. On the other hand, love without truth quickly become indulgence which produces no change. Both truth and love are non-negotiable.

Lord, help us speak Your truth accompanied by Your love, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.