Making A Confident

TRANSITION

(change)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

(Joshua 1: 9)

In this picture, I've just asked my horse to transition (change) from a walk to a lope on the left lead. He makes the transition with no fear, because he has confidence and trust in the one who holds the reins.    

Years ago, when I was showing my horses in western pleasure, I boarded them at a trainer's barn. Hanging around the trainer's barn had all kinds of perks, not least of all which was learning from other riders, both the good and the bad. I soon began to notice that some riders struggled with getting their horse to transition (change) from one gait to another on cue/command. Their horses often balked or refused to obey when asked for a transition. Finally, watching from the sidelines, it dawned on me that transitions we'ren't the real problem with these horses. After all, most every horse can transition from a walk to a jog, or a jog to a lope. The problem was, why wouldn't they do it on command? The answer was, these horses were fearful. And why were they fearful? They were fearful because they lacked confidence and trust in the rider holding the reins. 

Webster's dictionary defines the word "transition" as being "a change" from one state or condition to another. Horses don't like change, and neither do most people. Why? Because change does away with the familiar. And familiar feels safe, even when it isn't. When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, they were all anxious to go. When He promised them a land filled with milk and honey, once again, they were all anxious to go. But when it dawned on them that they were going to have to march in and possess the promised land themselves, well, you know the rest of the story about their fear, the giants, and all. Their faith was no longer enough. They marveled that God was requiring them to actually put on their marching boots, and put some feet to their faith in Him. Did they have feet? Of course they did. Did they have faith? They certainly had enough faith to put their feet in the water and watch the sea part at the beginning of their journey! So what was lacking now? Confidence and trust in their deliverer was lacking! As a result, the Israelites got to wander around the desert for 40 years while they contemplated amongst themselves, "To trust or not to trust God, hmmm, that is the real question!" Meanwhile, Joshua and Caleb chose to place their confidence and trust completely in God, and as a result, they "transitioned" to the promised land! Today, God is calling you and me to transition - to change. Some of us will choose to do so, while others will balk and refuse just like a stubborn horse with fear issues. Some will end up possessing their promised land, and others will never live to see it. What about you? Are you feeling a bit fearful about making some changes that are long overdue? Can I remind you that it's not the luck of the draw, or the hand we've been dealt in life that determines our victories? Luck has nothing to do with it. Our victories are determined by our willingness to transition and make a change when God tells us to. Ultimately, you and I are responsible for our faith, and we are responsible for moving our feet in faith. So, what are we waiting for? Let's put our full trust in the One who holds the reins, and let's make a confident transition (change) today!

OLD COWGIRLS

AND

HORSES

A blog/diary of my life with horses, and a few other adventures along the way.

There is power in a name.

As I pulled the saddle off Samson's back this morning, I couldn't help but think about all the rides I'd taken on this wonderful horse. Even our worst rides were better than my best rides on any other horse. Such was the strong connection I felt with this horse. He was simply my go-to guy. And he had proven faithful. He had been right there for me when I was forced to retire my first ministry horse, Montana, early from active riding due to his health complications.

I remember the first day I brought Samson home. His AQHA papers showed his registered name as Simple To Operate. But his former owner had given him the special barn name of Samson. The name intrigued me. It wasn't a typical name for a horse, and certainly not one I would have chosen. Chances are, if I had named him, I would have tried to pick out a name with some cool, western flair. Something like Durango, or Cheyenne. But not his owner. She had watched him grow, and had raised him from a colt. "Why did you name him Samson?" I asked her. She answered, "Because he was always strong right from the beginning. And Samson is a powerful name."

For a long time, I considered changing Samson's name. Then one day I went to the pasture gate and called out a new, really cool name I liked, just to see what my horse would do. He stood across the field looking at me for a brief moment, then put his head back down and began eating grass again. I called out the cool name again. I got the same response. I walked back to the barn and thought about it. A few minutes later, I walked back out to the gate and called out the name he'd been given. The name that was chosen especially for him. I leaned across the metal gate, and called, "Samson!" In an instant, he raised his head, looked at me, and came running at a full gallop to the gate. He'd never done that before, and I was flabberghasted, "Wow, you really know your name, don't you?"

Later that evening, I decided to do a word search on my horse's name. Samson was a Hebrew name that meant His sun; His service: there the second time. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized he had certainly lived up to his name. He was, indeed, my sunshine, he was in God's service, and he was the second horse God gave me in this ministry when it was time for my horse, Montana, to step down. That night I continued to soak my pillow with tears of joy every time I thought about his name. The name I almost changed. The name that had changed my life.

This morning, I hung Samson's saddle on the rack, and began to brush his sweaty coat. Once again, it had been a good ride, and I thought about how this horse always lived up to his name. And then, I began to think about another name. Another name that had changed my life. A name that was above all names. The precious name of Jesus. Where would I be without Him? What other name but the name of Jesus could have saved me and set me free from sin and death? And then I began to cry buckets of tears once again. Tears of joy that ran down my face and onto my horse's back. "You knew it all along, didn't you, Samson. You knew there was power in the name."

Q & A

Each month I receive emails filled with interesting and great questions. I try to answer each email with a personal response. In this segment of our newsletter, I will share some of the special emails I've received. The emails have been shortened, and the names have been changed to protect the individual's privacy, and the innocent! 

Susan - Thanks for your newsletters. They help me sort some things out when I'm struggling. Mostly I struggle with my faith, and depression, even though I'm a Christian. When I get depressed, it just feels like my head is full of cobwebs. I guess you could say I'm a cowboy. I live in Montana and used to work for a ranch outfit here but ended up with a busted hip, and no way to do the work I was getting paid for so I got let go. I live in a remote area and don't have many friends. My daughter quit coming out several years ago because I started drinking after the hip thing. I drive a couple of hours on Sunday to attend a small cowboy church and get to help out some with the horses. That's about the only time I feel useful. I've rode horses all my life, even broke colts, and done all kinds of ranch work but I don't know much of anything else. I like how you use horses to teach things about God and was just wondering if it's too late for God to use me?

(Craig, Montana)   

My Response To Craig

Craig - Thanks for emailing. Have I got good news for you - as long as you're breathing, it's never too late! If God is calling you to a specific work or ministry, He will equip you ahead of time. Why is being equipped important? It's important because you are called to be an excellent steward of what God has entrusted to you. You've also been called to be above reproach. I have no doubt that you're good with horses, and God could use you, but right now you have other things in your life that He wants to address first. Things like your fluctuating faith, the depression, and your drinking. There may even be some changes going on with your emotions, due to the physical changes you've undergone since your accident. God wants to address all these things because He loves you, and because He does have plans for your life - plans to give you a future and a hope. I strongly encourage you to talk with your Pastor at cowboy church. I also encourage you to seek out a reputable Christian therapist to help you sort out some of the issues you're struggling with right now. And finally, I encourage you to open the Bible and get seriously into the Word. If you don't have one, email me and I'll send you one, pronto! When you study God's Word, you will begin to clear out those cobwebs you mentioned, and renew your thinking. As for the future, God is going to make clear and straight your path. But for right now (and that's where you are today), you must do the right thing. The rest of your life will unfold in God's perfect time. Thanks again for your email, Craig, and never forget - you are a cowboy. And God can always use a good cowboy!  

Natural Horse

Faith-Man-Ship

(Teaching biblical faith using horses)

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FAITH RIDE OF

 YOUR LIFE?  

To Learn More... 

WRITE or EMAIL

Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry

P. O. Box 4994

Cleveland, TN 37320

or  

ksworldmin@aol.com