"Two States from Texas"

My old cowboy buddy,

Gave me a call,

Said come to Trinidad,

To a gather this fall.

And two states from Texas,

From high pastures to low,

They went where we pushed ‘em,

Some quick but most slow.

Got a call from old Bart,

In south Mississippi,

Said some cattle are lost,

Need to find in a jiffy.

So two states from Texas,

We went poppin’ that brush,

With good dogs to help us,

They came out in a rush.

My friend in the sand hills,

Said I got yearlings to sell,

Been on wheat pasture,

And best I can tell,

It’ll take most of three days,

To get ‘em gathered and gone,

So two states from Texas,

Almost nothin’ went wrong.

Been to the Owhyee,

And to south Alabam,

Then back home to Texas,

But wherever I am,

I know there are cowhands,

And some with great skill,

That can sure get the job done,

No doubt, that’s the deal.

And I can learn from ‘em,

No matter the place,

And paying attention,

Just helps me keep pace.

And the same is quite true,

With all Christians who serve,

No matter their context,

By grace find the nerve,

To stand up and witness,

To get God’s work done,

Diverse gifts and callings,

Though they serve the same One.

Could be here in the Lone Star,

Or two states away,

But wherever they do it,

They can hear the Lord say,

You’re one in the Spirit,

You praise with one voice,

You show up and step up,

‘Cause you made a good choice,

To honor the Savior,

Wherever you are,

And be His bold witness

Both near and afar.

“For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope of the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptist, and one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all and living through all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6, NLT)

In the cowboy world you don’t have to look far to find diversity. People have different styles, methods, and techniques for handling cattle. They're not just one way to do it, but plenty of room for different approaches. Unfortunately Christians often compete with each other, insisting that their methods for reaching others for Christ is the best way. It’s simply not true. God uses many ways to bring people to understand the one way to salvation- Jesus Christ. There are different gifts given to equip us to get it done, and that’s what matters. Use the gifts God gives and celebrate every victory, no matter where or with whom it happens. We’re all part of the one church Jesus is building. Let’s act like it.

Lord, help us focus on the things that unite rather than divide us, in Jesus’ name.

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