In roping there is a point in your run when you have to make a decision. You must decide whether your horse needs your help, or if he is going to track the steer and rate at the place where you are positioned to throw your loop. You have about a second to decide.
We pattern our horses run after run to get them to lock on and get to the place where we are most comfortable throwing our rope. After literally thousands of runs they automatically get it, and run to that place. To over-correct, or to not correct enough at just the right time, can put you and your horse out of sync and may cause a miss.
Recently I was trying to check a young horse on the corner to make sure he didn’t make a mistake and I overcorrected him. He came up in the front causing him to elevate and break stride and disrupt the flow of the run. A friend observing the run said, “You’ve got to trust your horse.” A practice pen is the perfect place to begin to put trust in your horse. It’s okay to let him make a mistake there.
To make that run real smooth you must feel the horse in your hand, but allow him to free up a little. By this time he has made lots of runs and he knows what to do so trust him. It is in that controlled environment that he will be free to come alive and give you the run and shot you desire.
Just as the horse is in sync with the rider on a great run, Christ frees us up to live for Him. “It was for freedom that Christ set you free; therefore keep standing firm and do not allow yourself to be bound by rules.” (Galatians 5:1) “If the Son sets you free, you shall truly be free.” (John 8:36)
If we are really trying to live according to His principles, He doesn’t ask us to follow a list of rules. He asks us to pay attention and to honor Him. He then sets us free to really live and receive His blessings. True freedom comes as we let Him live His life through us. Then we can accomplish greater things in life than we ever dreamed of.
Rope great in your Finals! Trust your horse with your run, and Christ with your life.
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