Last night I saw a great message by Todd Pierce of Riding High Ministries at the Crossing Church, in Macomb, IL.
A horse ring was set up in the (large) Quincy Crossing Church. Todd was given a horse, which had never been ridden. His task was to get the horse (named Patrick) so that he would take a rider. Throughout the amazing performance he explained what was going on and and compared it to the Gospel.
Todd was actually sharing the Gospel with us. The untamed horse represents the unsaved person. The horse trainer represents God.
Here are some things he said: (Throughout, I will not always point out the metaphor. Remember, the trainer is God and the horse is a man.)
- His goal was to teach the horse to learn to surrender to the Master (and more).
- The horse comes in confused.
- Up to this point, the horse only knew how to get safe and comfortable. He had learned to get by.
- One the trainer (God) started working with him (us) there was a lot of new information coming in and something was going on inside the horse (us).
- The horse has to choose Him (the trainer) or his own way.
- If the horse chooses to trust the trainer (that is, give authority to the trainer), he’ll have to things he didn’t want and things unfamiliar to him. In particular, have someone on he back!
- Our understanding of authority comes from our culture. This authority is different from the authority of Jesus.
- Before training the horse has instincts to run, bite, and kick.
- The trainer is willing to fall off and he keeps doing it to nurture a relationship (trust) with the horse.
- The trainer keeps inviting the horse into new things.
- Information isn’t wisdom yet (actually confusing). It takes time.
- Once the horse comes to trust the Master and give authority to Him.
- The Master will provide food, water, and a safe and comfortable place and way to live.
- The instincts to run, bite, and kick are released. Potential released.
- He’ll learn how to run fast, not know where he’s going.
- The goal is that the cowboy and horse become one.
- It is a partnership.
- Together they can accomplish much.
- Still some learning to do, once a rider is taken. After the resurrection, the disciples went back to the Sea of Galilee and went fishing. Then afterwards, they spread the word and grew churches.
- This is what life will look like from now on: the cowboy on top of the horse. The cowboy doing most of the directing activities/decisions and the horse doing most of the physical work.
- Todd Pierce, the trainer, spent quite a bit of time kneeling down in front of the horse.
- Todd was able to get on the horse (bareback) and initially he got bucked off, but eventually he could stay on. Then a saddle was put on. Again he got bucked off, but eventually he could stay on. The horse did come to trust the trainer.
