After a week of vacation, you might think I’d be refreshed and well rested. Not the case. Nonetheless, I have gained a greater appreciation for hard work and the people who produce the food for our tables. I also come home full of gratitude to God for protection from serious injury after being launched from a bucking horse, and for keeping rattlesnakes from crossing my path yet again.

We spent much of our seven days in South Dakota helping local ranchers with spring branding and vaccinations. It was a privilege to work for them and with them. Every time I lend a hand, I’m reminded how hard these ranchers work. Morning ’til night they persist in their back-breaking work. Many of them limp and ache from hours in the saddle, being thrown from a horse or getting kicked by cows. Nearly every day they return from their work covered in dust and various cow excrements. They endure rain, wind and snow while working. It’s certainly not the glamorous life portrayed in Horse Whisperer. I think we take for granted all the work involved in getting our meat, milk, wheat and other products to our supermarkets.

These ranchers are pretty accommodating to us “greenhorns” from the Twin Cities. We know how to ride a horse — well at least I thought so before my trip. We don’t have much to offer except another set of hands. Often times we feel like we may be hindering progress rather than helping. But they are so patient and gracious to teach us the skills they’ve known all their lives. And they don’t seem to get too upset with us when a calf gets away or we are timid in our actions. Truth be told, we’re probably harder on ourselves than they are.

On Thursday night, we attended Cowboy Church in Edgemont, SD. There were about 20-25 people gathered at the senior center that evening to hear a few old time hymns and a message from a pastor from Lance Creek, Wyoming, and the man who started rodeo bible camps. It was very different from our contemporary, megachurch worship services but not unlike the churches of the first century. Today’s megachurches all grew from small beginnings, which can all be traced back to the origins of Christianity. First-century Christians met in homes primarily and were comprised of only handfuls of people. There’s much spiritual growth happening in those intimate settings. And the Word tells us to never despise small beginnings. You never know how they will grow.

The other similarity between Cowboy Church and the early church is that most Cowboy Churches are not led by ordained pastors. Rather lay people share their insight, revelations and knowledge with those who attend. The Apostle Paul wasn’t ordained perse, nor was Peter, Timothy or John. We don’t need a degree to share what we’ve learned about God. You never know how your knowledge and experience could help someone else grow in their faith. Step out and share what you’ve learned. You’ll be blessed and so will those around you.

For those of you awaiting the next devotion, I’m thankful to God for giving me new illustrations that I will be writing up yet this evening. I hope to post a new devotion tomorrow.