Out Our Way: The race ain't over yet

Out our way, we know the cowboy's work is never done. The end of one trail merely leads to the start of another. The cattle are moved from spring to winter pasture - but then comes the task of hauling feed and, naturally when it is coldest and darkest, the pulling calves who have been born backwards, as well as the care of cows and calves who needed no help in delivery. But although that phase is finished, the work is not. Same for farmers as well as ranchers; one task completed does not signal an end to the labor, only the finish of one aspect and the start of a new one. So it is for the ministry as well.

As many of you know, this is my last Sunday as the pastor at First Presbyterian Church and the official retirement of my pastoral ministry after over 40 years of service. Like Paul, I see the finish line and declare that I have sought to "run the race to win."

I can look back and say I have fought the good fight and run the race, and have kept the faith, but I cannot say I am finished. I am grateful the Lord has been able to use me here and there as a pastor these 40-plus years, but the old man grows older, the body weaker and the mind less sharp. I know that my time as a preacher is over now and next Sunday I will step down from the pulpit; no longer the Reverend Dr. Bruington, but as plain old Brother John. Goliath snickers in his way - rolling his eyes - but he honors the heartfelt love for Christ reflected by my people.

To paraphrase Billy Graham, "if all people see in the pulpit or hear in the message is Brother John, they have not heard anything!" That is the message Goliath has taught me over the years when he has deposited me on rock hard soil or in the cactus to teach me humility.

And so, as some 40+ years of preaching and teaching come to an end, I join Paul in declaring I have fought the good fight and run the race. But as Paul learned, when one race is run, we re not necessarily finished. There may be yet another fight and yet another race. Certainly even as Paul wrote these words to his beloved Timothy, he knew he was not yet done. For with the end of one ministry there yet remained others. Paul's race was not yet over, and would not be until the moment he was beheaded by a Roman executioner. The end was in sight but he had not yet reached it. Paul continued to serve and preach and teach where ever he could - including to his jailers, some of whom became Christians. There were still a few more laps to run and few more enemies to challenge before it was truly over.

 That gives me a sense of satisfaction and hope, for as I have reached the end of my 40+ years as an official minister of the Gospel ministry, I have not yet crossed the finish line nor have all my opponents been vanquished. This trail has go over the ridge but has not come to an end.. he trail stretches on and I don't yet see  the corral or barn where I can uncinch my pony, rub him down and then take my boots off and relax. I see instead a new prairie where new trails are to be made and followed. I am merely at the top of the rise and looking down at the Big Open where God is calling me to keep coming,.

Yup, I am finished with a long ride of 40-some years, but I am not finished. Christians don't retire from ministry - they just keep moving as directed. We aren't done until the Boss calls us home. So my work in the parish ends, but I still ride for the brand. I ride for Christ' s outfit and while life remains I intend to keep riding in whatever pastures He sends me.

For now, that will be in this column - perhaps finding other papers that will accept and share it at no charge, Maybe the Lord will open doors to write another book featuring the wisdom of Old Doc, or maybe sharing the wisdom of my trail pard Ratus, the Church Mouse, as well as the insights of those grizzly cubs, PeeDee and Scooter of Bruin Town. I have 40 years of their stories to share if I can find anyone who wants to hear them. Well, who knows? Kindle self-publishing or another source may offer a new trail to follow as I work the Master's herd. I have run my race on this side of the ridge, but now I discover it it keeps going! 

As I told a friend, I feel like that guy in the chute waiting for the gate to open and calling out, "Outside! Let her buck!" I rode this old hoss down for 40 years but it seems have another 8 seconds ahead.

Blessings all! Let 'er buck!

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Although this is the final week for Goliath and John Bruington at First Presbyterian Church, they intend to continue to share their insights and adventures gained by serving Christ on the Hi-Line.