YOU WERE CREATED FOR PARTNERSHIP
When I ride my horse, Samson, there are no secrets between us - only the truth of our partnership.
THE MIRACLE OF REAL PARTNERSHIP
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. "
(Revelation 19: 11)
A painting of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, leading the armies of heaven at His return. This is one cavalry I want to ride in!
Have you ever considered the miracle of partnership that exists between man and horse? Just think about it. Throughout recorded time, entire kingdoms and nations have been won, in part, because of our partnership with the horse. Certainly, our nation was founded on the back of a horse. And doesn't the Bible tell us that Jesus will one day return to earth riding on a great white horse? Talk about the ride of a lifetime - this has got to be it! And have you ever considered why Jesus would choose to come back to earth on a horse?
For those of us who have known the love of a good horse, we aren't surprised that he chose this incredible animal to accompany him. Quite simply, the horse is a masterpiece of God's design, and an ancient symbol of power and war. Perhaps most remarkably, God created the horse for the express purpose of partnership. I once saw a painting of the rapture (the one pictured above). It depicted Jesus getting ready to mount a great white horse, and His army of followers were bringing up the charge, all on white horses. The painting left an endelible image on my mind for many reasons, and it also gave birth to a brand new hope. I hope that I will be riding in that cavalry one day with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords when he makes his triumphant return!
REAL PARTNERSHIP
A PART-TIME LOVE AFFAIR
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other."
(Revelation 3: 15)
I've never been satisfied to have a milk-toast relationship with anyone, including my horse, and my husband! I want to experience the passion of all my partnerships to the fullest.
I suppose I'm a bit old-school when it comes to ideas about developing a strong and lasting partnership with a horse. I still believe it takes the intimacy and commitment of long rides and wet saddle blankets. Nevertheless, I really enjoy watching the colt starting venues like "Road To The Horse" that feature very talented clinicians who take an unbroke horse, and they are able to ride that horse within a few hours, or less. But the truth is, although the horse has learned to move his feet, and even allow a rider to climb up on his back, there are no short-cuts to real partnership. There's a reason for that. Partnership isn't a ride. Partnership is a journey. It takes months, and perhaps much longer to develop a horse into a trust-worthy mount who is willing to give the rider his whole heart, and become a true partner.
The love affair I have with my horse isn't part-time. It's a full-time partnership based on commitment, and we're both in it for the long-haul!
Although there are shortcuts to getting a horse gentled enough to throw a saddle on him and ride, there aren't any shortcuts to building a good partnership with a horse. So, how long does it take to build a good partnership? As I always say, it takes as long as it takes. The question shouldn't be, "How long does it take?" The real question is, "Are you in it for the long haul?" No matter what your future goals are, you have to make a commitment - a commitment to spend quality time together, and not left-over time, as is too often the case when it comes to horse ownership. Sadly, many folks who own horses today really don't have "time for the investment" that a true partnership requires and demands. Instead, they seek endlessly for quick-fixes to relational problems. As a result, the horse and owner partnership suffers greatly. I believe if we're going to have a horse in the first place, then he deserves more than a part-time love affair! Something tells me that God feels the same way when it comes to you and me. If we're going to have a relationship with God, then it calls for an investment of our time, and a full-time commitment to the partnership. And let's face it - it calls for some good ol' solid groundwork, too.
IT TAKES SOLID GROUNDWORK TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD
Every great partnership starts out at ground level. Groundwork takes time, discipline, and commitment. If you haven't got the time, discipline, and commitment for the groundwork, you will never get to the partnership level.
True partnership with God can't be a part-time love affair. And it can't be a hobby, either. Let's be real - partnership is serious business. There are many things we may be lukewarm about in our life, but we can't afford for our relationship with God to be one of them. Our relationship with God must be a full-time commitment to a life-long partnership. So, how do we develop this kind of partnership with God? Actually, we do it in much the same way we do with our horses. We start by spending time with God. Remember, it takes time to build a great partnership. How much time? You got it - it takes the time it takes! And every great human-horse partnership begins with the basics, or fundamentals at the ground level. That's why we call it groundwork.
Although the ultimate goal is often to ride our horse, a great relationship with a horse never starts out in the saddle. It always starts out while our feet (and his) are still on the ground!
Groundwork allows us to learn good communication skills, before we actually take the ride. Most importantly, it's during groundwork that we learn how to speak the language of Equus - the language of the horse. It's the same if we want to have a great partnership with God. Long before we get in the saddle and go for a serious faith-ride, we need to learn who God is, and how to speak His language - the language faith!
Groundwork for building partnership with God begins with a basic and fundamental exercise. It begins by reading His Word. And why is it important to read the Bible? It's important because the Bible is God's story. And it is your story, too. And why is it your story, too? It's your story because it is the Creator's plan for your salvation and His desire for partnership with you. No matter what we think we know, and no matter what we have heard from others, we can't have an intimate knowledge of God if we haven't read His story. And if we haven't read His story, then we cannot understand our own story. It's really that simple. So, are you ready for some groundwork? Here's 5 steps to get you started on your journey to great partnership with God, and the only tool you'll need is a Bible.
GROUNDWORK 101
1. Read God's Word
2. Study God's Word
3. Know God's Word
4. Believe God's Word
5. Obey God's Word
IT'S WHAT YOU DO, AND NOT WHAT YOU SAY, THAT SAYS THE MOST ABOUT YOU
"If you love me, you will obey what I command."
(John 14: 15)
The secret to my partnership with Samson is his willingness to be obedient. If he did not obey my cues, then we would have no partnership at all.
You and I have a decision to make each and every day we wake up. The Bible says "choose this day whom you will serve". This tells us that God is not looking for mere lip service. He is looking for obedience. Why? Because when you serve a Master, you obey that Master! There's no denying it - in order to serve God, we have to obey God. And obedience isn't always easy. Yes, some have the ability to make obedience look easy, but the fact is, obedience is hard work! Wishful thinking won't attain obedience for us, nor will grace do the job. Obedience is a responsibility that belongs to us, and it's a tough one. That's because it takes commitment, and it takes discipline - something that too many folks are short on. And it becomes even more challenging when the flesh isn't willing. Ouchhh!
OBEDIENCE MEANS BEING A "DOER" OF THE WORD, AND NOT JUST A "HEARER"
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
(James 1: 22)
My ministry partner, Samson, is a retired western pleasure show horse. In 2002, he won our state's coveted AQHA year-end, all-around championship, and it's all because he started out by mastering the walk!
In the long run, it's what you do, and not what you say, that really says the most about you. Are our actions really so important? God seems to think so. He says that if we really love Him, then we will obey Him. The word "obey" is an action word, and according to God, it's a true litmus test and indicator of our love for Him! I first learned about "the talk versus the walk" many years ago when I used to show at AQHA horse shows in western pleasure. Up and down the barn aisles, contenders were always "talk-talk-talking big" before we entered the ring. But when the arena gate opened, and the judge called for the horses to line up on the rail at a pleasure walk, the talkers were quickly separated from those of us who actually had the walk. In the long run, we all discovered an important truth. The truth is, talking wasn't a necessary skill-set to win the coveted blue ribbon. In fact, it wasn't even needed, or necessary at all. All it took to be a winner was having the real walk. And the real walk is always the signature of true partnership!
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
(Philippians 2: 13)
Are You Ready To Partner Up?
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