By: Deb Kitchenmaster
God describes YOU as His faithful or goodly horse in battle. Seriously! Sometimes I may not look like that or feel like that, yet looking into a solid, settled forever source (the Bible), I discover God’s description of how He sees us. My resource comes from the writings of an Old Testament prophet by the name of Zechariah (10:3-5).
God declares His anger against the negligent shepherds and corrupt leaders who have failed to care for His flock. He vows to punish these leaders. However, He also states that He will personally tend to His flock and make them strong and victorious, like a magnificent warhorse in battle.
I spent some time with a couple in Arizona who raised racehorses. They do NOT bronc ride these horses in the way you see in rodeos. Their hands are the gentle tools that take the young horses (filly/female or colt/male) one step at a time – building confidence, not breaking their spirits. The halter training of young stock is interesting. They put a halter on the filly or colt and hook it to a mule. It is not long until the filly or colt learns to submit to that mule. This requires both of them to submit to each other, since each has a mind of its own. In a short amount of time, however, the mule learns to take advantage of the young horse. He learns that if he will hold his head just right, the youngster cannot get up once it lies down. The mule seems to enjoy this superiority, and holds the youngster down at his will.
The time comes to move on from the mule connection. The initial halter training is over and it is time to go further – to be the racehorse it was bred to be. Both mule and horse are somewhat saddened upon the separation. They don’t feel emotions like we do, however, they have grown to like each other and tend to miss their time together. There is a degree of a grieving transition.
God has called you to know Christ in you, the hope of glory. Do not hesitate when the Lord leads you to drop some mule doctrine in order to go to a higher level in preparation to run your race. You are a son or daughter of Abba Father Himself; Perfect, Unfailing LOVE.
The horse is then trained to the harness, bridle and saddle. Little by little, the training continues until the big day when the racehorse steps out of its corral and goes down to the racetrack. There’s a new world blowing in the wind. With flared nostrils, the little racehorse knows that he is about to move into a new dimension. Here, he is introduced to a saddle pony that brings him comfort. Days go by, and soon the racehorse feels at ease in this new environment. He enjoys stretching his legs as he feels the wind blowing through his mane.
Another transition! The saddle pony is gone. It’s time to know that what is inside is greater than a form of something on the outside. He begins to trust the one who holds the reins.
So often a person identifies with what he has been all of his life rather than what he is called to be. Do not continue to identify with the mule and saddle pony experience, though thankful for both. They had a part in preparing you to BE. Let us submit to the training in righteousness, become unhooked from mule doctrines and no longer settle to remain in the comfort zone the saddle pony brought.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Muscled with confidence, courage, and connection, let us run our race set before us.
June 20, 2025
