Roping Religion: Face trials and stay faithfull

Many of the ideas and scriptures for this article are from the devotional “God Wants You To Win!” by world champion calf roper Jeff Copenhaver.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jeff’s good friend Warren Wuthier gave him a great rodeo tip when he told Jeff to never quit hustling. Warren told Jeff, “Anything can happen.” Jeff went into the finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in 11th place and tied his calf in 10.0 seconds. The other ropers either missed, broke the barrier, or their calf got up. One roper’s plane was late. Jeff won first and learned that going through the motions is not the same as doing your best.

I wonder how many times we give up, let up or phone it in when we should be working as if we are working for the Lord. There will be lots of challenges as we go through the different stages of life. Jesus never gave up. He could have commanded legions of angels to rescue Him off the cross. Instead of surrendering to His flesh or to the will of the devil He completed His assignment from God and took our due punishment. He loved us while we were yet sinners.

Perhaps if we would remember the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf we would have more persistence in our walk with Him. Sometimes if something comes to us too easily we don’t really appreciate it. When we really need a healing, relief from a trial, a financial breakthrough, a job, a relationship restored, love, fellowship, rain, hope, food, water or any number of items we are extremely serious about seeking the Lord and His favor. At other times when things seem to be going along OK we may slack off on our worship, prayer or fellowship.

God seems to have a way of getting to the heart of the issue when He is refining us. He cannot stand sin. God graciously points out the things in our lives that are offensive to Him. He provides believers with the Holy Spirit who leads us into green pastures. If we are willing and obedient we get to eat from the best of the fruit of the land. Perhaps some of us will have to wait until we get to heaven to see God’s absolute best come to pass in our lives. While we are waiting for Jesus to return we can continue to focus on the Lord and work to sharpen our spiritual hearing and sight. True worshipers worship in spirit and in truth. True worshipers are the ones our Father desires.

I am pretty good at thanking and praising God when He blesses me or answers my prayers for others and myself. I still need to work on keeping my focus on the Lord when the situation I find myself in is not so favorable. I need to remember the tip from Warren Wuthier and never quit hustling because anything can happen. We don’t need everyone in the world to like us. That would be unbiblical. We do need favor with some of the people God has placed in our lives at such a time as this. Begin praying for favor and remember that when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

My hero Joseph was a big dreamer. He experienced many trials but eventually he was rewarded for his faithfulness. Let’s dream big and ask God for the desires of our hearts as we delight ourselves in Him.

Like any good parent, I believe that God wants the absolute best for His kids. Let’s agree for His best to come to pass in our lives and in our community. May God bless you big.

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This is the 25th in a 30-column series of Roping Religion columns by Kevin Barsotti, pastor of Ark Church in Havre.