One of the interesting things I've been made aware
of since taking up horseback riding is that horses have very different
personalities. Some are leaders and some are followers. Some are at the "head"
of the herd and do everything in their power to stay there, while others are at
the "tail". Some want a routine; others want to be free to structure their own
time. Some have a high work ethic; others are lazy. Some shy at everything;
others can't be phased.
The horse I ride is a 17-hand, bay thoroughbred, one that was rescued off the
race track. He's at the top of the pecking order in his little "herd", a
position he shares with the only mare. He is a gentle as a lamb with humans, but
he doesn't hesitate to remind the other horses of who is the boss. He's a bit on
the lazy side and mostly he's slow; but he does enjoy a good gallop whenever it
is allowed. The interesting thing is that although he's at the top of the
pecking order, when going out for a ride along the road, he refuses to be the
lead horse! He shies, he refuses, he walks backwards, he tosses his head, and if
he can be convinced to lead, he shies at garbage, mail boxes, funny-shaped
branches on the ground, anything. It's an interesting trait for a horse who once
was a successful racehorse!
My youngest son rides a handsome pinto pony. The pony is somewhere in the middle
of the pecking order, and he loves to work. He's fast, he's frisky, and he can
jump amazingly high barriers, despite his lack of physical height. But he's not
a leader, either.
The other day I was having my riding lesson with a girl who also rides the pinto
pony. To cool the horses down at the end of our lesson, we wanted to take a walk
down the road. Only one little problem: Neither horse would go first. They
backed up. They reared. They put their heads down and refused to move. They
walked sideways. They did everything except lead the way.
Our riding instructor started to laugh: "Oh, No! It's Chicken Little and Chicken
Big!"
Only after much encouragement did "Chicken Little"--the pinto pony-- finally
exit the farmyard. It was amazing how quickly "Chicken Big"--my former race
horse--suddenly forgot his fear and followed on!
In all, it reminds me of humans. There are the ones who bully their way to the
top. They climb the ladder of success by knocking down and treading upon those
who stand in their way. They take no thought of the hurt they may cause, and
once they reach the top, they do not stop reminding everyone of who is in
charge. But are they true leaders? In a push-comes-to-shove situation, will they
stand up for the rest? Will they be willing to sacrifice themselves for others?
There are two other horses that warrant mention in the herd at the barn where we
ride. One is a striking Palomino, the one my other son rides, and the other is a
black thoroughbred. Their positions in the pecking order are last and second to
last, but they don't seem to mind. They simply submit to the authority of those
above them. Interestingly, when we take the horses out for a ride along the
road, these are the only two with courage enough to lead!
They aren't given any thanks, however. Once back in the barn, the bay
thoroughbred I ride lays back his ears or stamps his foot, and the other two are
instantly back in their positions at the bottom of the pecking order. Now,
that's thanks for you!
We've all met people who are like these two horses as well. These are the ones
who humbly submit to authority, who simply sit back and do their jobs and do
nothing to stop those who would rise to positions of importance. But what
happens when problems arise? What happens when someone is needed to step forward
and assume responsibility? What happens when someone is needed to sacrifice self
for the good of other? Isn't it generally the underdog who then rises to the
occasion? But once the crisis is over, the "leader", the one who has cowered
behind in the crisis, quickly retakes his place in the seat of honour.
Friends, we all know people in both categories. In fact, many of us ARE people
in both categories! Let's remember Jesus' advice: "Indeed there are those who
are last who will be first, and first who will be last." (Luke 13:30 NIV) It
isn't where we stand in the human "pecking order" that matters. Rather, it is
where we stand in God's eyes!
How much better the world would be if we would all be content to be "Palominos"
and "black thoroughbreds". If we could all be people who don't even try to take
the places of honour, and instead humbly stand back and let others claim the
glory they crave. Let's all be ready, however, to humbly move forward to lend a
helping hand when it is needed, and not get worried about whether we get the
glory for it or not. Instead, let's just humbly go back to our positions of
servitude, ever knowing that "the last will be first, and the first will be
last." (Matt 20:16 NIV)
Lyn Chaffart , Mother of two teens, Speech-Language Pathologist, Author and
Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural
Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems,
www.scripturalnuggets.org , with
Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.