Weekly Devotion January 8, 2024

 

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission

Bible Study Verse: Matthew 22:37-39 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” NIV 

Thoughts: Years ago, we used to hunt a lot in South Central Wyoming. Because we lived in Wisconsin, every year we would rent horses from the area we hunted in to use in our guided hunting operation. That meant that every year we had to get to know different horses. When the horses arrived my father, who was born in 1925, grew up on a farm and used horses to work the fields, and I would look at the horses and determine which ones were for packing and who should ride each horse. Dad had a gift when it came to horses. He was able to watch a horse and determine its use, gait, how well trained it was, etc. He loved animals and they loved him. No matter how wild a horse was he could walk up to them and pet them and calm them down. 

Action Point: Looking back, my father could interact with all types of horses. Some had different amounts of training, some were head shy, some would buck at first when you got on them, some would want to constantly eat and so on. What that reminds me of is how our Father in Heaven has created each one of us differently with different gifts and abilities. We are all different, just like the horses. We are unique. My father loved every horse we got the same way even though they were all different and sometimes difficult to handle. Our heavenly Father loves all of us the same for He created us in his image. Yes, we make mistakes, we do dumb things. We are not perfect but He loves us anyway. Remember, God loves you. Make an effort today to love your neighbor as God loves you. 

Sportsman Tip of the Day: Before getting on a horse that you have never ridden, take it for a walk first. Talk to it, stroke its neck and between its eyes. Try to bond with it. If it’s really cold in the morning, warm the bit before putting it in its mouth. When around horses, never be in a hurry. Horses can sense anxiety, stress, and a lack of confidence. Be calm and chances are, the horse will be too.