Learn the Tools of the Trade

 Derus & Gloria B. at a show I worked

While I’m not an accomplished equestrian, I enjoy riding and feeling the special connection between horse and rider. When atop a horse, you have signals wholly different from those exchanged while on the ground.

When riding, you have tools helping you and the horse communicate. Bit, noseband, and reins are parts of the bridle the rider should be familiar with in the communication with the horse through mouth, head, and neck. In the saddle, you send signals by the way you sit, use your legs, knees, heels, toes and your hands. The body movements of the horse communicate from under you.

These tools require knowledge in usage and the better you learn their use, the more pleasant the ride for you and your horse, which is the ultimate desire for you both!

God has supplied us tools and He expects, even commands us, to learn them and their uses. Among the Christian tools are faith, the Bible, and prayer.

Faith is major. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him,” Hebrews 11:6a. “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” 1 John 5:12. 2 Cor. 5:7.

Reading and memorizing the Bible are important for Christians who want to do a good job for God. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Tim. 2: 15. “So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” Ezra, 8:8. Matt. 4:4.

Prayer is imperative. “But in everything by prayer and supplication, let your request be made known to God” Philippians 4:5b. “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thess. 5: 17. Eph. 6:18.

To work well, a child of God must accept, learn, and utilize them. Each has a purpose and neglect of any or all will make your walk a disaster just as a mistake in placing the bridle, or the saddle can cause a major wreck.

A Christian becoming proficient in the use of Spiritual tools takes practice. If you want to be the best rider, you practice riding. Your horse will look forward to any new the adventure as you learn to ride better. Continued practicing with your God-given and God empowered tools will enhance the results. Witnessing, teaching, or fellowship becomes an exciting adventure. You will strengthen and encourage the faith of your fellow Christians as you utilize your tools.

Champion Purebred Arabian AHF Van Derus

The perfectly executed routine in a Dressage ring, or a reining horse performance is a beauty to watch, so is a Christian at work for God. As spectator at a show, you enjoy watching the horse and rider move with ease, confidence and unity, each listening to the other and reading the signals. You know they spent hours perfecting their connection to gain the prize. The smoother the signals completed between horse and rider, the better chance of winning.

While trusting in God, reading the Bible, and praying, a Christian desires God to praise them with the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21. God also says that a good steward will practice usage and only get better. (Matt 13: 12, & 25:12). You can only get better!

While surrounded by horses and riders, working in a Horse Show as Ring Master, I’m enjoying myself, but I’m very conscious I’m not riding. I’m a spectator. In the ring, I’m merely watching signals transferring from rider to horse achieving a certain pattern, or movement. Because I am a rider, I catch myself tensing my knees, or moving my hands to signal the horse I’m not riding! I know all the right moves but I’m not accomplishing a thing of worth. I’m not eligible for any prize.

There can be Christian spectators also. They may know the tools but they’re not competing for anything. How sad for a Christian to miss the enjoyment of a good job. I may be able to make all the moves but if I’m not riding, I’m missing the enjoyment of working with that beautiful animal. And at the end of the show, I’m not getting the trophy.

A Christian surrounded with all the awesome tools may not be using them for a beautiful outcome for God. There’s no hope of a trophy.

To succeed with the tools, trust in God, pray, and read the Bible, then get out there and do a good job. Using your Spiritual tools will get easier and smoother and in the lineup at the end, you will hold the trophy!

In the ring, I am part of the show, but I really would like to be on the back of a horse. As a Christian at the end of the age, I’d like to have a “Well done good and faithful servant.”

 “I press toward the mark of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus my Lord” Phil 3:16. “Also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” 2 Tim. 2:5. Colossians 3: 23, 24.

Go for the trophy!

Having a fun ride on my Appaloosa Santana Little Britches

*Photos of Gloria and Derus used by permission