Christian Living

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When I was a little girl, my grandmother and I watched “Bonanza” every Sunday night. I liked the horses; Grandma eyed the Cartwright men.

Taming the wild west, they were rugged and strong, yet upright, caring, compassionate men. What woman wouldn’t swoon for the Cartwrights?

Trouble was, these cowboys were lethal. Whenever one fell in love, heartbreak came a-ridin’. The woman died, ALWAYS. Un-named illness, swept away by a cattle stampede—anything to ensure that bonnets and lace didn’t fem-up the Ponderosa.

Grandma took her chances, though, loving those Cartwrights to the point of ignoring they were characters played by actors. Though the name Michael Landon didn’t ring a bell, you can bet your buffalo Grandma knew every stat on Little Joe. Ditto for his brothers and pa.

Remembering this, I think of the roles we play, and realize that I’m a one-woman cast of many.

“Hon, where’s my shirt? Mom, where’s my money? Hey you, where’s the Cat Chow?”

So many role changes! Wife to parent to feline servant, all before Regis and Kelly introduce their first guest. After that, there’s sister, friend, writer, neighbor…

We’re different things to different people. Based on the emotions, personalities, experiences and expectations of others, we might be jovial or reserved, all-business or laid back, as open as a book or as sealed off as Fort Knox.

No other person in the Bible more represents life roles than David. He was a husband, father, shepherd, athlete, musician, poet, military general and king. With all this versatility, wouldn’t David have made a great Cartwright? He could’ve tended the flock, organized posses and captured cactus in prose.

As for the range of human behavior, David ran the course. He laughed and wept, loved and hated. His obedience was such that he was called a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14); his inequities were such that he pleaded not be cast from God’s presence. (Psalms 51:11)

Like most, David had many facets.

God, too, has many facets and we only have to look around to see his versatility. I once traveled through the Nevada region where “Bonanza” was set, finding a fantastic canvas of natural contrasts—rocky trails and gentle pastures, sharp blue skies and soft neutral earth—each element unique, yet all unified as they celebrated a sovereign Creator.

“The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.” (I Corinthians 15:41, NIV)

Yet, for all His versatility, God remains constant. “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)

As Christ’s ambassadors ( 2 Corinthians 5:20), we’re called to remain constant, with our behavior, attitudes and responses reflecting Him at home, on-the-job and everywhere in between. He is our example, the footsteps we’re to follow (1 Peter 2:21), no matter how many roles we play or circumstances we face.

Life beats us sometimes— I’ve had “un-Christ-like” moments and blundered situations because of them. Some people, though, consistently choose to represent Christ in some roles but not acknowledge him in others. Maybe they apply Christian principles at home, but intentionally ignore them at work. There are many variations of the Saturday Night Sinner/Sunday Morning Saint, and eventually, these double lives collide.

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3: 10-11)

However many facets comprise us, Jesus should be at the core, integrating our various roles into a whole person presenting His character. “Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)

Grandma didn’t separate actors from their characters; nor did she separate faith from any roles SHE led. Neither did David—even at his worst, David was faithful in his belief, asking God to “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51: 10)

Romans 12:2 advises, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Let’s surrender all to God, and let Him tame the roles that run wild. Until we do, our roles conflict, and that’ll lead to the Cartwright Curse: heartbreak.

In some form or fashion, it’s bound to come a-ridin’.

Donna G. Morton © June 2006

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