Instead of hiking, I’m riding horses with Zach and Jay.  This is a journey with a new way of thinking and a completely different point of view.  Why?  Because I’m riding a new horse.  Ruby, is not even 3 yrs old! Also Ruby is new to me, I’ve never ridden her.  It’s going to take me a little time to see how she responds to me.  Also, it’s going to take a little time to see how I respond to her.  We’ve got to develop a little trust for each other.

This trail is the one that I hike in the early mornings for exercise, for clearing my mind, for being in nature, for time alone with God.  I immediately can tell things are different from all the times I’ve walked on my own feet.  The main difference is that I have a different point of view.  I’m seeing things differently from a few feet higher off the ground, sitting on top of Ruby.  I am aware that there will be no movement in any direction unless Ruby takes me there.

I haven’t ridden a horse in a while.  I wanted to get “back in the saddle” to get the feel again.  (I’m possibly going to be an extra in a movie that may require my riding a horse.  Shhh……. if I make it into the movie you guys will be the first to know.  To be an extra in a movie has been on my bucket list.  I’ll let ya know if it happens.  Now you know why I’m having to grow my beard!)

I’m having a great time with the guys. We are all enjoying the outdoors and the horseback riding.  We do the “guy talk” with each other, you know, gruntin’ about work, hunting, fishing, the ladies, (as if any of us know what we’re talking about). But also I’ve got to admit that I’m nervous.  Well, just my legs and rear end. The legs are clamped on like vice grips.  It’s as if my rear end is covered in Gorilla Glue.  I’m not going to let go!  Seems like I can’t get relaxed because I’m holding on too tight.  I don’t know why.  The horse is acting great.  It’s just me thinking about all those what ifs.  What if she spooks….what if I do something stupid, it makes her jump…. what if…….. well you never know.  I’m not on my own two feet, I’m trusting Ruby’s four feet!

We’ve probably been riding for over an hour when it happened.  No, I didn’t fall off,…… I relaxed.  Just out of the blue Ruby and I became a team.  She was probably glad I took the “clamps” off her rib cage.  I could sense her movements and almost tell what she was thinking.  I was enjoying the view.  It was like I felt her say, “Enjoy the view and the ride, I’ll be carrying you all the way”.

Isaiah 46:4The Message (MSG)^3-4 “I’ve been carrying you on my back
    from the day you were born,And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old.
    I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray.
    I’ve done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.

My horse is carrying me all the way.  We come to the creek where I usually have to go around when I’m walking on my two feet, and cross a log to get to the other side.  Not with Ruby.  She is carrying me over this water.  The other guys are also carried across.  Just like our Lord and Saviour who promises to carry us on His back. We just need to “Let go and Let God”.  Maybe in our spiritual journey we “hang on like vice grips and Gorilla glue”. I guess you are like me and get nervous when you are not on your own two feet, but instead you are letting God carry you.  That’s what was becoming clear to me on this adventure.  My different point of view?  I’m trusting my horse instead of myself!  You see things different when you are being carried by a horse.  Things definitely look different when you are being carried by God.

Jay gave some words of wisdom when he said, “So, if you make it back home without falling off, it’s been a good ride!”  I took a spiritual meaning from that.  When God is carrying you on this journey, stay in touch with Him so that you won’t fall off.

Zach gave me some encouraging words.  “Let’s ride again next week!!”   Sounds good to me.  Let God carry you on lots of spiritual journeys.  Go for it.  Keep riding, letting God carry you.   You’ll see things in a different way.  Ride on!

See Ya!!   Dan Ainsworth  wildernesspreacher