Every step is taking us toward our home of righteousness!
Who doesn’t love horses, right? I know I sure do!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I just had to say that since it is Help a Horse Day. Yep, there are all sorts of ways we can help horses, not the least of which is to rescue them. I remember when I was a teenager, my daddy took me to the Maryland livestock auction and when we went behind the auction arena and traveled up and down the aisles, looking at the horses in their stalls, I was shocked. There were so many racehorses whose tendons in their front legs were completely bowed; I mean, you could see their front legs bowed out in the shins. They were no good for racing anymore. And it was because they were started on the track way too young, while their bones were still growing. Those horses were run too often, too hard, and with too little time to rest. And once they were used up, those horses were cast aside. And it broke my heart that day, it did. But Daddy and I rescued at least one of those racehorses from the slaughter, and he became my constant companion on the farm.
So, that’s my story on this Help a Horse Day, and I’m just grateful that horses even have a special place in God’s heart. I mean, just look at all that God says about this amazing animal - one of his most beautiful creatures - look what he says in Job 39:19-22, he says, “Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? Do you make it leap… striking terror with its proud snorting? It paws [fearlessly], rejoicing in its strength, and charges into the fray. [The horse] laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword.” Yep, I would say from that, that God delights in horses.
Well, one of my favorite memories from when I was able to horseback ride? I’d be on a trail, and when after an hour or so we made a turn toward home, and my horse – her name was Tumbleweed – she would flick her ears, pick up her pace, hold up her head. My horse knew she was heading back home to the barn. And I think about that whenever I have a longing for my home, my home in heaven. At my age I feel as though I have made a turn in the trail and I am heading home. Writers of old felt the same way; I recall a writer from the 19th century saying, "When driving our carriage, I cannot help but notice the way our horse quickens his step when he knows we are heading [back to the stable]. [It is] the same for us; every step we take is [a] going home. We may be knee-deep in trouble, but it is all on the road home. We may be ankle-deep in fear, but [still] we are… on our way home. I may stumble, but I always stumble toward home. My afflictions and griefs may cast me down, but they always cast me forward on the road toward heaven. It will… be over. Come, Christian! Thou art going home!"
So, on this Help a Horse Day, I hope you’ve been blessed by that little insight, especially if you have turned the corner. Come on, let’s pick up our pace, because we’re all heading home. And, hey, I’ve posted a photo of me riding Tumbleweed and I’ve also provided a link to a painting I did of my horse. And I’d love you to see both the photo and this special print of one of God’s most beautiful creations, the horse. It’s all there for you at joniradio.org. Because the day is not far away when all the saints will return with Christ, he on his white horse, and us following, riding horses in his train. So, pick up the pace, for every step is taking us toward our home of righteousness. Oh, and don’t forget; my photo and print are there for you at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends