|
Before we get deeper into the subject of you and I being in the right position and right on time, let's look at the world of horses for a simple and natural example. There are no words that can describe the wonderful feeling that a rider experiences when they achieve that "right position - right on time" synchronicity with a well-trained horse. It's that special moment when you come together in one mind and in one accord, flowing seamlessly from walk, to jog, to lope. Of course, to the untrained eye, such perfect synchronicity can sometimes appear to be coincidence, but a good horse Master knows that is not the case. Instead, it is the result of the Master's well-positioned and well-timed execution of specific cues. Wow, that's a mouth-full. So, how is such a thing possible?
Since I'm not an English rider, I can't speak to that riding discipline, but with western pleasure horses, it's only possible when your plan of action is to "set your horse up" for success. And how do you set a pleasure horse up for success? First, you must move him into the right position in order for him to do what you want him to do. In other words, you move him into a position of power. In our Purpose, Power, and Partnership clinics next year, I will teach you how to move your horse into a position of power, but for now suffice to say you do this by cueing the horse to engage his hindquarters in order to move out in a collected frame. Secondly, you set the horse up for success by having good timing. Good timing is critical for success in any endeavor you wish to accomplish. Good timing with your cues not only helps to produce the correct lead departures in your horse, but it helps to produce collection and balance, too. Simply put, a good horse Master always moves his horse into the proper position to do his job correctly, and he does it by using perfectly timed cues. Having said that, it is the horse's responsibility to willingly obey those cues.
Setting Samson up for success in western pleasure by cueing him to collect up and lower his head.
Willingly obey - now there's a couple of words that aren't very popular anymore. Try asking three people what they think of the words "willingly obey" and most likely you'll see what I mean. Chances are you'll get varied responses, but all of the responses will most likely connotate some negative loss of freedom. Why? To willingly obey someone else means to give up one's own freedom to act as one chooses, and instead, submit to the will of another. Scary proposition, right? Anyway you look at it, to willingly trust and obey another is a tall order, especially when you don't know what the outcome might be. Such was the case in the biblical story of Queen Esther. Esther's uncle, Mordecai, solemnly asked that Esther entreat the King to save the Jewish people. Why did Mordecai ask such a scary and potentially dangerous thing of Esther? Mordecai realized that Esther's position of power was not coincidental. It was the hand of God that had moved Esther into this position of power, and it was for such a critical time as this.
You see, Esther was a Jewish woman who just so happened to be married to the Persian King. Now, here's where it really gets crazy. The King had no idea his wife was a Jew! Now, because of her Jewish heritage, and her relationship to the King, Esther suddenly found herself in a history-making, world-changing position. How had this happened? No doubt, God had directed (cued) Esther's feet into just the right position (a position of power), and at just the right time. Nevertheless, Esther still had a choice. She could willingly obey God, or she could choose not to. Fortunately, Esther chose to obey God, and she spoke to the King on behalf of her people. Because she did, not only were the Jewish people saved, but Esther came to understand more fully the purpose for which she had been born. Esther, through obedience, had become the deliverer of her people!
God has positioned you with power -
right here - right now!
So, what does all this have to do with you and me? Absolutely everything. God has perfectly positioned the body of Christ (the Church) with power for such a time as this - right here - right now! Just like with Esther, this is a special and critical time in history when the blood-bought, born-again people of God are "perfectly positioned" to be history-makers and world-changers! Never before has our faith, our testimony, and our Christian voice been so important and critical to a generation of people, and to future generations, as well. It is a voice that must be heard if we are going to see lives changed and lives saved. The only question that remains is, "Will we be obedient? Will we tell others about Jesus? Will we give a reason for the hope that lives within us? Will we share the gospel with the world when it needs it most?" The Bible says that we can do "all things through Christ" who strengthens us (Philippians 4: 13). That means that you and I have not only been positioned for such a time as this, but we have been fully equipped with power (God's Word) to do the job required of us. Right about now, I hope someone out there in cyberspace is waving their cowboy hat and shouting "Hallelujah"! Why? God has put us in the right position, and we're right on time!
| 
