Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Friday May 4, 2007

I often feel like the man Ben Franklin described thusly:

"He was so smart that he could name a horse in nine languages; so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on."

No, I do not speak nine languages, nor have a bought a cow to ride. I sure do not want to milk a cow again. I like for milk to come from bottles, less work and no where near the mess.

I recall when I was 15 that I had took off from Maryland to pursue my destiny in the golden state of California. I had no idea as to my destiny, but at that tender age was certain it would walk up and introduce itself as my destiny on the streets of the San Fernando Valley. I heard Roy Rogers singing about making the Valley his home; so off I went. The folks who took me in were friends with a man named Wag Blessing. Wag ran a little cowboy bar and had been the Saddle Bronc Champion in 1950. He also along with shooting the bull rode bulls. One day when the group had tipped a few too many we all went to the pasture and rigged up a rodeo bull to give it a try. I was certain I could ride the critter as I had broke a few farm horses along the way. Those who still survive laugh to this day at the sight of me, getting on the bull and then in a split second taking my very first flying lesson. The bull threw me so high and far that I received a ticket from the FAA for flying without a current physical. I assure you that after the bull riding/flying lesson aviation school was a piece of cake in later years.

My point in today's rambling is simple; it does not matter how accomplished we may be in some area, we are going to be found woefully ignorant in some other. Too many folks find this truth to be shameful and thus never attempt anything except the few things that by some miracle they have attained a modicum of proficiency.

When we accept the fact only ONE does all things well, we then have God's permission and our own to attempt things and if we fail we try again or go on to something else. I am not ashamed that I did not defeat the bull. Most of the champion bull riders are unable to walk unaided if they reach my age. Those, such as me who trade in riding for shooting the bull, usually are much better off for having stayed off the bull riding bit.

I love the work the Lord Christ has called me to. When I came to the end of myself and knelt at Calvary, my destiny, to love and serve Jesus actually hit me like a runaway freight train on the very night I was saved. I know, I know according to the text book it doesn't happen that way, but here I am 46 years later still following the bright and morning Star. Talk about a destiny.

As an observer of the human condition I find it heartrending that the most exciting thing many of my clergy friends have tried is the risky business of trying a nine iron instead of a sand wedge. Oh, the exhilaration when this works.

On one occasion Jesus instructed Peter to quit hanging around the safety near the shore and to get with His program of "trusting God for great things." Luke 5:4

"Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

As Peter obeyed so many fish were caught the net broke. Every bored Christian should give this a try.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit

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