Fences and Cows

While driving to a meeting yesterday, I passed a cow trapped in the middle of a metal gate. I know this cow and she likes to get out of her pasture, even ending up in my yard once. She had pushed the gate over and was now standing there with her legs stuck in the holes in the gate. What struck me was her behavior. She just stood there eating apparently oblivious to her dilemma. 

I’m not sure how her owner got her out of that mess, but she was gone when I drove back later so I know she did. Cows don’t really have much of a vertical jump, just slightly less than mine, and they don’t push all that well either. Anyway, I am sure her master figured out how to help her back into the pen, and I seriously doubt that the cow learned her lesson. May we not be cows. 

Many analogies come to mind with that picture. Sometimes I push against the gates the Lord has placed in my life and end up in a mess. God had placed reasonable restrictions all around me and I believed that I knew better so I pushed and pushed. Those boundaries gave way and then I was free, for a moment. This freedom often leads to entanglement and even pain as my Master leads me back into confined safety. Maybe He really does better than I.

Other times I am trapped in a gate of my own choosing and I just keep on eating oblivious to any danger. I fail to realize that my pushing was causing trouble for many others. Gates have to be repaired, fences rebuilt, schedules stopped to release me and lead me back into a safe place that I often desire to escape from. 

From a more positive angle, sometimes it is good to keep on doing what we do best even in the midst of a trial, like being stuck in a situation that we need help to overcome. Cows eat. What should I do? Some things are clear; rejoice always, in everything give thanks, pray without ceasing, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and view this life from an eternal perspective. We should do all these even when we are trapped in a gate. Our Master will come sooner or later to rescue and His timing will be perfect. 

God loves me and I am not a cow. I am a sheep. My Shepherd leads me, protects me, loves me, and even uses His rod and staff to correct me and provide comfort for me. I pray I would not be like that cow that is always trying to get out of her master’s chosen place, but that I would rest in the pasture my Shepherd has given me. My Shepherd really does know what is best for this sheep, and if you are in His flock, then He knows what is best for you as well. 

That’s my HBDAO – Pastor Jeff