Last Ride

The ring master asked everyone to, "stand and remove cover." A cowgirl, dressed in all denim, rode her stallion through the gate opening and into the arena. She rode close to the railing following its circular pattern and held the American Flag strongly in her right hand. There was no chance it would touch the ground. Her horse in a fierce and steady gallop dusted the sky with dirt. As she rounded out the third lap "The Star Spangled Banner" hit a final chord and she came to a halt in the center. She bowed her head and the announcer prayed...

"...Lord please give these cowboys and cowgirls the strength to ride as if it were their last ride..." These words played on loop in mind the rest of the night, "last ride...last ride...last ride..." I thought about my death. I thought about the death of Jesus. Some people are unaware that Jesus made a "death-bed" promise a few days prior to his death and resurrection. He promised that the Spirit of God would comfort, dwell in, teach, remind, testify, convict, and speak though his disciples (John 14-16 & Matthew 10) Powerful Huh?

When the announcer asked for strength for the riders of the night, I deemed it an appropriate prayer. Most would think about the physical strength...the mental strength...the emotional strength. Those are the thoughts I had. But I had one more...the Spiritual strength. I wondered how many riders, workers, on-lookers prayed for Spiritual strength. Who asked for the comfort? Or the reminder? Who asked to be taught? Or to be used as a vessel? Who asked for real strength on their "final ride?" These questions led me to this decision:

I will not only thank God everyday for the blessing of another day to fulfill his work, but now I also will ask for strength to make it all happen.

Everyday is a step closer to our final destination. We are on that final ride. Everyday people ask for frivolous things in life when we should be asking for strength of the Spirit of God. The power of the Spirit of God will guide you safely to the end that awaits...But what is that end? You have to know where you are going in order to appreciate the ride of your life.

Heaven Awaits...

To those that believe. (John 3:36)

I'm so excited...